True Story
Registered User
- Sep 11, 2011
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All I know is, I am really glad that 15 pages of hypothetical Lehner talk, turned into nothing. Exactly what most figured would happen, did indeed.
What I think doesn't really matter when it comes to the oh-so-distant future. What I knew (as did many others on here) for the immediate future, was that Bishop would be the backup, Anderson the starter and Lehner in the AHL. Which is why I bumped this thread.
If we are going to talk about Anderson not making it to year 3 of his contract, do you mean, will he be the starter for Ottawa in the 2013-14 season? Lehner will have proved much before than - is he ready or not? What I know for sure is, it is very rare for healthy, productive, maybe starting goalies to be traded, mid contract - that is what you are saying is going to happen to Anderson. It doesn't happen much. Bishop and Lehner will force the issue for sure, but to bet that a productive goalie with a contract is traded, that is rare. Odds are against you, and you must have more faith in prospects than is warranted, especially Lehner, who is no where near an NHL mind yet. Can he stop the puck? Yes.
Lehner could still be the guy called up once his season is over. Bishop being the backup for the rest of the season is not written is Stone. It's the right decision to make sure both Lehner and Bishop are playing but Bishop isn't the sure fire backup at this point.
As for Lehner not being an NHL mind... he's closer to be NHL ready mentally than having the mentality needed to play in the AHL. You're right about goaltenders not being traded mid contract a lot but there are guys like Huet, Theodore, Lehtonen, Luongo, to a lesser extent M.Smith and Halak who were legit #1 guys who were indeed traded. Doesn't happen a lot but it does happen.
I think Anderson will be traded before he starts up the 2013/14 season. I think at that point Lehner and Bishop will both be 22 and 28 respectively and will be ready to carry and split the load. You can keep Lehner in the AHL another season and it probably won't hurt but 4, 5 years playing in the AHL when he's clearly capable of playing in the NHL would be regressive and nothing else.
No doubt, when Bingo's AHL season is over, shortly after the NHL regular season is, Lehner will be recalled. From there, the only thing that matters is results as to who will backup Anderson in the playoffs. Lehner has that edge so far, but Bishop has lots of time to get comfortable within the organization yet.
As far as Lehner and his mental state. The guy has been groomed for greatness from an early age, I agree that he can stop the puck at any level, but his mind right now isn't able to stay focused (AHL stats) and that would be a disaster during eventual struggles at the NHL level. Just please admit that as good as he is, he still has a lot to learn about what it takes to be what he was raised to be, a superstar in the NHL.
Again, I agree, that next year in the AHL for Lehner will be enough. But, I will not say that you made a good bet with whoever you did, based on the fact that Anderson, and everything that comes with quality goalies under contract, they just don't get traded very often. It is far more likely that Bishop or Lehner would go before Anderson - that is why I don't like your bet, but a lot can happen between now and year 3 of Anderson's contract, so good luck with your gamble.
I didn't realize PMD was a weakness in our team.
How about defense? How has that been addressed?
I think that Bishop has a 1 way contract that runs through next year. He'll stay up here if that's the case.
No doubt, when Bingo's AHL season is over, shortly after the NHL regular season is, Lehner will be recalled. From there, the only thing that matters is results as to who will backup Anderson in the playoffs. Lehner has that edge so far, but Bishop has lots of time to get comfortable within the organization yet.
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This we know, Lehner and Bishop will both be will the Sens for the playoffs. Bishop will probably be the guy dressing as the backup.
To deal with your bolded quote, I 100% disagree. You roll with the guy that is gonna win you Game 7, and as it sits right now, that is Lehner. Will Bishop get more comfortable in the next month? Yes. But if we had a game 7 tomorrow, I bet they would call Lehner up tonight, to start that 7th game the next day.
Not sure if this has been mentioned or not but they talked about the Bishop trade during the Buffalo game the other night. They mentioned that 4 teams were in on Bishop at the end and all offered 2nd round picks. They said that Ottawa contacted St. Louis first (quite a while ago) and implied that that is why the Sens were picked as partners in the deal. The early bird....My friend thinks a 2nd was overpayment for Bishop and that Lehner is ready NOW. I don't think so, it was a good trade and Bishop will be a great backup.
I'm sure it didn't hurt that Chicago, Pittsburgh and Philly are presumed (by most) to have a worse pick in the 2nd round than us. Chicago, being in the same division, rules them out off the bat as well.