By J.D. Lagrange, Senior Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine
PENTICTON, BC. – The Buffalo Sabres did not waste any time to address their problems in goal when they traded the 21st pick overall to acquire goaltender Robin Lehner from the Ottawa Senators. In addition, the Sabres get veteran forward David Legwand and his $3 million cap hit.
The 6’5” Lehner is only 23 years old and GM Tim Murray preferred him to other goalies said to be on the market, such as soon to be 28 year-old Cam Talbot (NYR), 27 year old Eddie Lack (VAN) and 25 year old Martin Jones (LAK). Lehner also has two years left to his contract before becoming a Restricted Free Agent.
While the Sabres seem to have paid a big price to get Lehner, the team had four picks in the first two rounds, which made this trade possible. Unless they make another trade, Buffalo is scheduled to select 2nd, 31st and 51st in the first two rounds.
With the acquisition of Evander Kane, Zach Bogosian, the likely pick of Jack Eichel and with the likeliness of Sam Reinhart making the team next fall, the Sabres should be a much more competitive team in 2015-2016.