It’s hard to perform much better than Robin Lehner has the last five seasons. Since the start of the 2015-16 campaign, the firey goaltender has posted a .920 save percentage over 215 games played, including 13 shutouts. That performance has climbed him up the all-time ranks, as Lehner now sits 11th with a career .918. Despite that, he’s been moved around to four different organizations and has been forced to sign three consecutive one-year contracts.
It’s time to change that.
The Vegas Golden Knights goaltender is still alive in these playoffs and there are more than just fans watching him play. As Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic examines, Lehner will be front and center among goaltenders—along with Jakob Markstrom—when free agency rolls around later this fall. LeBrun notes that Lehner’s “desire to find stability in his next contract” hasn’t changed, meaning a multi-year deal will be the ask.
It is easy to forget that Lehner is still only 29, given how long he’s been in the league. A second-round pick by the Ottawa Senators in 2009, he made his NHL debut less than three months after his 19th birthday, an age when goaltenders are almost never at that level. In fact, only 18 goaltenders in NHL history have recorded a win at a younger age (including Lehner’s partner in Vegas, Marc-Andre Fleury). Goalies like that usually become franchise cornerstones, not journeymen who could join a sixth organization before their 30th birthday (seventh, if you include the trade deadline salary-retention stop with the Toronto Maple Leafs).
There’s no doubt Lehner is a different animal than most goaltenders though. An outspoken advocate for mental health and addiction support after his own struggles—which included diagnoses of bipolar disorder, ADHD and post-traumatic stress disorder—he took home the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy last year. Working through those struggles in recent years seems to have only improved his on-ice performance though, leading to this important offseason.
When compared to the other goaltenders—or even the other players in general—that will be available this fall, Lehner appears to be one of the very top choices. LeBrun suggests that Carolina or Edmonton could be potential landing spots, though each would likely have to clear some cap space to pull it off. That’s the trouble for any unrestricted free agent this year as the league deals with a flat salary cap ceiling and slashed revenue streams, but perhaps even more so for goaltenders. An expensive deal like Sergei Bobrovsky landed last year ($10MM per season) is unlikely for anyone. But for Lehner, length is obviously important.
It would be nice to see Lehner get a fair shake, but as you pointed out, Gavin, he may very well have to settle for second-best, as it were. It should shape up to be the worst time to be a UFA in the cap era, but RFAs (arb-eligible) will probably feel the pinch, as well.
Pretty clear that Vegas intends to keep Lehner. It would hard for them to bench Marc (the face of their franchise until the trade deadline) and then turn to him to start again.
They might need to clear cap space to keep Lehner. And they’d need to move Fleury, who has a NTC.
If I’m Rutherford, I’d call VGK and offer Bryan Rust and the #15 pick for Alex Tuch and MAF.
I doubt they want to move Tuch, but Rust would be a good replacement for less money and Marc would waive his NTC for the Pens. Worth a shot.
Tuch is exactly what the Pens need.
vegas laughs at the idea of giving up Tuch
The Penguins need to shed salary not add more.
I think you will see Vegas move on from RL. They do have a young goaltender in the system and coupled with if/when next season is played,the fact MAF is $7M for 2 more seasons,I think they will take a run at an inexpensive veteran backup. Finding a partner to trade with and also RL will want to see other situations. Shocked NYI let him walk but that’s Lou for ya. Don’t sleep on Boston. If they move Rask they will be ready.
Is it possible he returns to Chicago? Crawford’s situation is fluid.
Don’t forget the connection with Smith & Pete.
You will see many vets taking odd contracts. More about money than term now. Dallas Colorado SJ could all liquidate and take the short hit. Don’t be surprised if Seattle already has deals in place. Yup,a full season away. Francis isn’t up there wearing a mask asking people to buy tix.
A lot of Gomez money headed to the AHL.
The entire cap needs a refurbishing.
Mac Jab is on the right path. A lot will feel the uncomfortable situation of being a free agent at any level.
Hopefully Lehner will stay with Vegas playing well. Just let all pens fans I can’t see Vegas trading Alex Tuch for Bryan Rust as if no one can recall in the expansion draft Minny made a deal with Vegas so Vegas would not take Matt Dumba if Minny would give up in a trade young Alex Tuch so why now after signing this guy for 6 More years why would you trade a favorite in your organization and one of your hardest working teammates. If he stays healthy a 30 plus goal scorer. THE FLOWER STAYS PUT ASWELL..You can always dream…
We need this guy in Raleigh. Not too far off, but need a solid #1 guy.