Sabres avoid the arbitrator, sign Lehner to bizarre deal

This one might need some explaining…

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Sabres avoid the arbitrator, sign Lehner to bizarre deal
Keystone Press

The Buffalo Sabres have announced that they’ve re-signed goaltender Robin Lehner to a one-year deal worth $4 million.

The  hulking 6’5”, 240 lb goaltender was slated to meet with an arbitrator later this week to receive a new contract, but was obviously able to negotiate a new deal without the need for a third-party. Lehrer’s $4 million annual salary is a considerable increase from the $2.25 million he earned annually for each of the the past three seasons, but Sabres general manager Jason Botterill is sending a clear message to Lehner with the lack of term on his new deal. That message? Show me. The one-year “prove it” contract is becoming a popular weapon in the arsenal of most modern general managers and it appears as though Botterill isn’t afraid to wield it.

For what it’s worth, Lehner had a pretty strong season in 2016-17, despite not having the strongest defense corps in front of him. In 59 games the 26 year-old Swede posted a very respectable 2.68 GAA and .920 Sv%. If he can improve upon those numbers in 2017-18 and get the Sabres back into a playoff race, he can expect to cash in even more with his next deal.

What do you think Sabres fans? Would Botterill have been smart to lock Lehner up long term? Or, are you happy with the one-year deal?