Anderson happy in Ottawa if offseason turmoil in past: 'I'm too old for drama'

Just like Mary J. Blige, Ottawa Sentaors goaltender Craig Anderson wants no more drama.

Responding to a report Sunday that the Senators were looking to deal Anderson early in the summer, the veteran netminder reiterated that he's happy in the nation's capital, barring anymore drama.

"I love Ottawa, I love playing in Ottawa," the 37-year-old told reporters. "I'm too old for drama. I don't want anything to do with drama. Hopefully we've resolved all of that. I got no interest in going anywhere else as long as we can clean up what was going on this summer."

Anderson is likely referring to the situation this offseason where it was revealed that Erik Karlsson's wife, Melinda, applied for a peace bond against Mike Hoffman's girlfriend, Monika Caryk, over an alleged harassment campaign.

Melinda Karlsson accused Caryk of "over 1,000" negative and derogatory comments, including wishing her unborn child dead, wishing her dead, and saying that someone should take out Erik Karlsson's legs and end his career.

Related: Erik Karlsson's wife accuses Hoffman's girlfriend of harassment campaign

"I've been there for eight years now and that's my home," Anderson said. "I've got no interest in going anywhere else as long as we can clean up what was going on this summer."

The situation appears to mostly have been wiped clean after Hoffman was dealt to San Jose, then flipped by the Sharks to the Florida Panthers, in June.

However, that was far from the only drama the Senators experienced this offseason. The team's assistant general manager Randy Lee was charged for harassment in June before eventually resigning a week ago, general manager Pierre Dorion admitted the dressing room was "broken" last season, a much-needed arena deal is far from imminent, owner Eugene Melnyk has been heavily criticized, and to top it off, the inevitable departure of Karlsson is still looming over the team's head.

Anderson stayed out of all of the off-ice drama, but his play between the pipes last year wasn't satisfactory. He posted an .898 save percentage and a 3.32 goals-against average in what was by far his worst season as an NHL starting netminder.

Winning is one way to make everyone forget about the drama, and Anderson's play in goal is certainly vital to Ottawa's success.

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