McKenzie: Sabres may move on from Lehner

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Bob Mckenzie on his bobcast mentioned on his Bobcast Podcast that the new sabres management way look to move on from Lehner he seems to think they aren't sold on Lehner as the guy

I believe and have always believed Lehner was better suited as a backup. I do believe that if Buffalo wants to move forward they need to find the guy in net.

If they do move Lehner who would you bring in?

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[Leafidelity]

Lehner never impressed me in the games I've seen him. I think he'd be much more within his depth as a platoon starter.

 

[Panthaz89]

No one because Lehner is the starter.......get defenseman no real concerns on goalies.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

It's about time honestly, he's been consistently quite a bit below average and showing no real signs of improving.

 

[M.C.G. 31]

I mean I've only really paid attention to him against the Habs but he's usually looked solid against us (of course, we make everyone look solid) but he has SV% of .924 and .920 in two seasons with a Buffalo team that has had Bylsma and weak defense. Is he really to blame to the point where they're "ready to move on"?

 

[Sabre the Win]

He's a credible starter, he cant save a puck for his life in the shootout but his numbers match that of a good starting goalie in the NHL. The only reason we move from Lehner is because he went to arbitration.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

He must be incredible on the PK because his 5v5 numbers don't look very good at all.

 

[JThorne]

It's about time honestly, he's been consistently quite a bit below average and showing no real signs of improving.

You're sorely mistaken about him being below average.

 

[La Bamba]

This is odd, I was under the impression Lehner was a solid young starter. 25 years old, 166 games experience, and a solid year with a .92% SV and 59 GP looks good on the stat sheet.

I remember wanting the Oilers to acquire him over Talbot but I guess I was wrong..

 

[A91]

His save% has been good the past few seasons he's a capable starter fix the D

 

[DEANYOUNGBLOOD17]

Buffalo paid a big price for him as that 1st they traded in 2015 (21st) turned out to be White for Ottawa and could have been Boesser (23).

Edit... his value now is a mid 2nd rounder plus a 5th rounder.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

You're sorely mistaken about him being below average.

I'm looking at the numbers as we speak, hasn't been above average in any of the seasons i'm looking at, 13/14-16/17 using Ian Flemings SAV3 charts.

He's quite a bit below average in xGSAA/60, Adjusted Save %, AAA% etc in this time span, all 5v5.

So he must be incredible on the PK to make him an above average NHL goalie because 5v5 he's not very good when adjusting using xG.

 

[Sabreality]

I'd really like to see him start another year behind a hopefully improved D and a non Disco system. I don't see the need to move on with more pressing needs. It's premature.

 

[93LEAFS]

The only reason to move on from him is if they aren't sold on his personality (and he's viewed as divisive). He has the skill to be a long-term starter.

There have always been rumblings about him being difficult and unprofessional. I have no idea how much merit these claims have, but if the new Sabres management team has questions about these they could move on from him.

 

[edguy]

Seems a bit weird... fix the defence first then look at the goaltending..

Any goalie would look average behind that defense

 

[Advanced stats]

Fix the defense.

 

[Battle Lin]

no way, goalies are hard to come by...hes still big and young, and has put up solid numbers past two years infront of bad team

 

[go4hockey]

This is odd, I was under the impression Lehner was a solid young starter. 25 years old, 166 games experience, and a solid year with a .92% SV and 59 GP looks good on the stat sheet.

I remember wanting the Oilers to acquire him over Talbot but I guess I was wrong..

You are pretty much right on. Once they actually get a defense then he and his numbers will look even better. It would be a mistake to give up on him now.

 

[jcbeze]

Where does Bob come up with this angle? Botterill, talking about Lehner:

“I have no problem starting next season with him in goal,†the Sabres’ general manager told Sportsnet in an article published Tuesday. “There are more pressing needs. I liked what I saw from him when he won the Calder Cup.â€

 

[nhlfan9191]

Outside fan. But this one surprises me a lot. Lehner doesn't strike me as amazing, but he seemed very solid last year and the year before. The timing of this seems way off.

 

[TT1]

He had pretty good numbers playing behind a weak team..

 

[Habs100]

If the stars were able to get Bishop for a 4th, the Sabres should have offered a 3rd. Keep Lehner as the backup.

 

[jcbeze]

Outside fan. But this one surprises me a lot. Lehner doesn't strike me as amazing, but he seemed very solid last year and the year before. The timing of this seems way off.

It is, Bob is channeling his inner Eklund here

 

[Super Hans]

Perfect offseason to do it. Think they should go after one of the lesser young exposed goalies and have him challenge Lehner for the job. See if either can distanced the other under a new (hopefully better) coach.

 

[Rasmus CacOlainen]

Perfect offseason to do it. Think they should go after one of the lesser young exposed goalies and have him challenge Lehner for the job. See if either can distanced the other under a new (hopefully better) coach.

Ditch Lehner if you can get Grubauer for cheap. Profit.