The Sabres goaltending situation last season was one of many problems. Robin Lehner struggled and so did Chad Johnson, and there’s a chance that neither of them will return to the blue and gold this fall.
According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, the Sabres are not going to give Lehner a qualifying offer, meaning he’ll become an unrestricted free agent and able to sign with any team.
BUF is not expected to give goaltender Robin Lehner his qualifying offer and he should be added to the list of UFA goalies available this summer as Sabres are likely to look elsewhere for a partner for Linus Ullmark.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 21, 2018
Former general manager Tim Murray brought Lehner (and David Legwand) to Buffalo in a risky deal, sending the 21st overall pick to the Ottawa Senators. That pick ended up being Colin White, but the fact is that this trade didn’t go as Murray had hoped.
Fans quickly got aggravated with Lehner in goal, especially shootouts. He was supposed to be a long-term starter, but he never was part of the solution in his few years with the team.
Now, the Sabres will have to search for a goaltender, someone that can share time with Linus Ullmark.