Well, there is meaning behind both of the figures prominently featured on the new helmets of the
reigning Jennings Trophy-winning du
.
Both netminders have had long-standing relationships with Dave Gunnarsson, also known as
Dave Art
, when it comes to designing their helmets and this year is no different.
The Swedish creator is the leading supplier for goaltenders in the league, which prompts the question, how does he keep each design unique?
A simple request - have at least one distinguising component.
While some goalies will obsess over every detail and section, some of the more veteran netminders - such as Andersen and Raanta - admittedly aren't as invested in the pieces as they used to be. So while the helmet guru is responsible for the bulk of the creation, each backstop is tasked with having one eccentric element for theirs to stand out.
For Andersen, the LEGO goalie displayed on the panel protecting his left ear is a reintroduction of a tradition that has highlighted his helmets in years past.
"LEGO is from Denmark," the lone NHL starter from the nation explained. "It was Dave's] idea back in the day, he started putting it on some of them and he liked the way it came out."
Ranging from
[a LEGO Batman in Anaheim in 2015
, to
a Matrix-inspired alter-ego dubbed "Blue Neo"
in Toronto for 2020, the Danish company's characters have been featured on at least four of Andersen's masks during his time in the league. Some seasons Andersen and Gunnarsson have elected to go with a different theme, such as
his tribute to legendary Maple Leafs goalies in 2016
, but the plastic creatures have remained a mainstay in the arsenal.
"Growing up everyone would get LEGO stuff, so I thought it would be a fun little thing to have on there from back home," the Canes 35-game winner from last season continued. "Obviously I think they've come out really well and it's a cool piece of art to have."
