Sabres Give Up First Rounder for Robin Lehner

The goalie market has been set.

The first goaltender to be shipped off is Robin Lehner, acquired by the Buffalo Sabres the morning of the draft. Lehner, along with forward David Legwand, go from the Ottawa Senators to Buffalo in exchange for the Sabres first round pick tonight, the 21st overall pick. It is one of two Sabres picks in the first round, the other being the second overall.

Everyone knew the Sens would trade a goalie after they had resigned Andrew Hammond. It was just if they would give up Lehner or veteran Craig Anderson. Other goalies on the market whom remain include Cam Talbot and Eddie Lack, who should bring in similar hauls.

The Sabres were in the market for a goalie and had been connected to Lack a bit. It was reported late last night that Senators general manager Bryan Murray was close to trading one of his goalies and it would be known by the morning.

Lehner, 23 years old, was injured for most of last season, but the former second round pick has shown some promise. There is a very good chance he is their starting goaltender at the start of the season.

The other goalies on the roster include Anders Lindback, who has already become a journeyman after previous stops in Tampa Bay and Dallas, and Chad Johnson, a career backup with Boston and the New York Islanders.

It might make sense to have Lehner and Johnson start the season on the roster with Lindback in the AHL with the Rochester Americans. Lehner is signed through 2016-2017 at a hit of $2.25 per season and will become a restricted free agent when his deal is done.

Meanwhile for the Senators, they add a first round selection to their arsenal. They already pick with the 18th overall pick, so they have two picks rather close to each other.

Some of the players projected to be around that range include forward Nick Merkley (Kelowna, WHL) and center Jansen Harkins (Prince George, WHL).

Now the Senators have their goaltender situation locked up, where it looks like it will be Hammond and Anderson splitting the duties between the pipes. Former Boston University goalie Matt O’Connor will be playing in the American Hockey League with Binghamton, and he could see action if there are any injuries. That’s how Hammond got his shot last season- both Anderson and Lehner were hurt.

The deal was first reported by TSN’s Bob McKenzie.