Lehner tells full story on failed negotiations with Islanders

In case you missed it yesterday, former New York Islanders goaltender Robin Lehner has signed a one year, $5 million deal with the Chicago Blackhawks.

This reportedly comes after Lehner turned down a two year, $10 million deal from the New York Islanders. So, this begs the question, “What the Hell happened?!” How is it that Lehner had an offer from the Islanders at $5 million per season for two years, but yet he chose a one year deal at the same salary from the Blackhawks? Something’s not adding up… 

Oh, and to make things even stranger the Islanders turned around and signed former Colorado Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov to a four year deal worth… you guessed it… $5 million per season. So, what gives?

Well, in his introductory press conference with the Blackhawks, Lehner opened up about negotiations with the Islanders and… well, let’s just say that it doesn’t cast the Islanders and general manager Lou Lamoriello in the greatest light.

Check it out:

So, in effect the Islanders tried to strong-arm Lehner into a deal, he wanted two days to think about it and then the Islanders went out and negotiated with Varlamov. At the end of the day Lehner was left standing out in the cold and had no other choice but to take the Blackhawks up on their offer. 

Who’s to blame in this situation? Did Lamoriello and the Islanders negotiate in good faith? Did Lehner receive some bad advice from his agent? In any case, it’s disappointing to see the relationship between the team and the player dissolve so publicly.