The Ottawa Senators have traded goaltender Robin Lehner and center David Legwand to the Buffalo Sabres for the 21st overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.
Robin Lehner shipped to the Sabres.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres land a promising young goalie, albeit one with an injury history, in the 23-year-old Lehner. Sabres GM Tim Murray worked in the Senators organization under his uncle, Sens GM Bryan Murray, for years, so he’s aware of Lehner’s strengths and weaknesses. If Lehner reaches his full potential and can stay healthy, he could turn into a quality starter for the Sabres.
Props to Bryan Murray, who already had a great start leading up to this draft by re-signing Mark Stone and Mika Zibanejad to affordable deals. He sheds Lehner’s $2.25 million plus Legwand’s $3 million, freeing up over $5 million in valuable cap space to put toward other signings or additions. And he gets a first-round pick in what’s considered a deep draft.
That begs the question: did the senior Murray school the younger? Or did the younger do the senior a favor?
Until last year until Lehner had a rocky season he looked like he had the potential to be a solid maybe spectacular franchise goalie give the opportunity. For a late round pick I think it was a very good gamble for the Sabres. No matter what he should eat about 75% of the starts without a second thought on a rebuilding team.
Not sure how popular this will be with the fans here in Ottawa, but I think this likely balances out. The 21st should bring back a decent prospect and the Sabres are banking on Lehner needing a new address to reach his potential. I’ve long wondered that with Anderson around, Lehner can’t be “the guy” and that was the reason he couldn’t steal the job away. That and consistency issues. Guess time will tell on who wins that.
Legwand has been ok with the Sens, but the real score here is acquiring the cap space and that’s a win for Ottawa. Buffalo on the other hands gets a veteran to work with the youth and fill a spot for a bit.
Lehner, O’Rielly and Jack Eichel. I’d say Buffalo Sabres changed quite a bit yesterday.