Robin Lehner has shutout another opponent, blanking the Dallas Stars last night to even the Western Conference Finals at a game apiece. That was Lehner’s fourth shutout of the postseason, raising his overall save percentage to .924 and lowering his goals-against-average to a measly 1.84. The big trade acquisition has been outstanding for the Golden Knights since arriving, which makes it easy to see why the team is trying to keep him around long-term.
Jesse Granger of The Athletic writes that talks have already begun between the Golden Knights and Lehner on a long-term extension, though it’s not clear exactly what price tag a new contract would come with. A move of that nature however would likely spell the end of Marc-Andre Fleury’s time in Vegas, if only because it would be too expensive to keep them both on the roster. Fleury, who has also performed well in his lessened role this postseason, has two more years on his contract at a $7MM cap hit and holds a 10-team no-trade clause.
- Another legendary goaltender may be getting pushed out this offseason, as Rick Carpiniello of The Athletic writes that Henrik Lundqvist’s career with the New York Rangers is coming to an end as the team “must buy him out and they know it.” Lundqvist has just a single year left on his contract but has been passed by two different young goaltenders in New York. A buyout would save the Rangers just $3MM of his $8.5MM cap hit in 2020-21 and force a $1.5MM penalty onto the books for 2021-22.
- If Lehner re-signs with the Golden Knights, and the Vancouver Canucks manage to bring back Jacob Markstrom as they indicated yesterday, the free agent pool for goaltenders suddenly doesn’t look quite as impressive. Sure, there are still plenty of names available like Thomas Greiss, Anton Khudobin, and Cam Talbot, but if Markstrom and Lehner both re-up with their current teams it is going to leave Braden Holtby as the only UFA starter that isn’t already in his mid-thirties. That can only help Holtby’s market, but it also could lead more teams to consider the trade route with options like Matt Murray and Frederik Andersen both potentially on the market.
So Lehner puts up a 1.84 GAA and a .924 save percentage. He’s golden.
Freddie Andersen puts up a 1.84 GAA and a .936 save percentage and he’s a bum the leafs need to run out of town.
Only in Toronto.
Well Toronto’s defense is super awesome!
we love small sample sizes…oh, and Lehner was well better during the regular season.
@Milk – Accurate numbers, but Lehner’s been winning the big games, is the shutout King of the 2019-2020 playoffs, and Freddie’s been unable to win when it matters. You’re right again about “Only in Toronto”, as they have had a harder time finding a netminder that can carry the team on his back through the playoffs. And, of course, the sketchy D hasn’t been good enough for Freddie to be in position to shoulder that load.
I’m not a leafs fan. Far from it. (Kings since 1975) i know freddie hasn’t been Mr. Clutch. But a 1.84 GAA and .936 sv% and you lose a series? How is that even possible? Ya the defence sucks. Nothing new there. But was it that bad? Freddie posted a 1.84 GAA !! Those are pretty good defensive numbers. Those are the kind of numbers u win a series with.
Seems those 4 guys making 40 million collectively cost the leafs the series. Scapegoating Freddie or the defence is BS. They did their job. The fabulous 4 couldnt even put up 2 goals a game despite PP unit #1 and offensive zone starts.
Ya Freddie needs to be more clutch. And ya the defence needs some serious help. But neither was even remotely to blame for the leafs annual tank job.
@Milk – So you believe the inconsistent performance up front should be mostly to blame for their play-in thud against CBJ? You’re not alone, there. There was a lot of sketchy play, sometimes from night-to-night, with them and I see a trickle-down effect when it happens. Worse yet, when the bottom-six look at the expensive guys to shoulder the scoring load, things can get sideways in a hurry. Take that dreaded California road trip…please! The group needs to learn to play as a team, which might help Freddie live up to his real potential. They could be downright dangerous, but everybody has to be pulling on the rope in the same direction at the same time.
Lundqvist is a tough one, but it has to be done.
still dont see how the goalie pool is supposedly tepid with guys like Khubodin, Greiss, and many potential bounce-back candidates in it. Markstrom and Lehner or not, I think that’s a stronger class then its made out to be.
@DarkSide830 – I think that is meant to imply some of the UFAs might not move and others are in the age range to be more risky signings. So, the selection that will be left over might not overwhelm many teams.