Craig Anderson announces retirement: 'This is it'

Craig Anderson's long, winding career came to an end on Thursday, but he went out in style.

The veteran netminder confirmed following the Buffalo Sabres' overtime win against the Ottawa Senators that he's retiring.

"This is it," he said postgame, according to SpecNews' Rachel Hopmayer.

The Sabres mauled Anderson immediately following Casey Mittelstadt's OT winner.

Anderson was given a standing ovation as he saluted the crowd at KeyBank Center following the contest. He also got to soak in the moment with his family.

Fittingly, Anderson's final game came against the Senators, with whom he enjoyed the most successful stretch of his 20-year career. He played 10 years in Ottawa and ranks first on the franchise's all-time wins list (202).

During his decade-long run with the Sens, Anderson owned a stellar .914 save percentage. His best year came in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign when he led the league in save percentage (.941), goals-against average (1.69), and finished fourth in Vezina Trophy voting.

Anderson gained a reputation as a clutch playoff performer throughout his career, as he owns a .929 save percentage in 48 postseason contests. He was particularly excellent during Ottawa's magical run to the Eastern Conference Final in 2017, when he sported a .922 save percentage in 19 starts.

The 41-year-old journeyman also spent time with the Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, Colorado Avalanche, and Washington Capitals before spending his last two campaigns with the Sabres. He notably finished fourth in Vezina Trophy voting in 2009-10 with the Avs when he made a career-high 71 starts.

Even as the NHL's oldest player, Anderson was still serviceable in 2022-23, as he logged a .908 save percentage in 26 games.

Since entering the league in 2002-03, Anderson ranks 11th among goalies with 318 wins.

While Anderson will be missed by the Sabres, the club has a bright future in goal between 21-year-old Devon Levi and 24-year-old Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.