The Buffalo Sabres are currently having a season that’s classified as worse than ugly. Nothing has been working. It’ll probably end up being a garage sale for them on the Trade Deadline. All their older assets will be open for sale. This is where the Winnipeg Jets come in. They are a contending team who’ll be considered as a “buyer” on Deadline Day.
The Jets have had a great season. It’s been great for fans to watch, as we’ve endured many years of painful hockey. We’re finally at the place where everyone always dreamed we’d be. For basically the first time ever, we’re buyers going into the Trade Deadline. Sure we’re buyers, but that doesn’t mean Cheveldayoff won’t follow previous patterns. Nothing shall be risked, and Chevy will jump on a good deal if he sees it. At least that’s what everyone thinks. Is that going to happen? We can’t assume what he will do, we’ve never been in this situation.
How does Lehner come into the picture?
So it’s more than likely that the Sabres will be opening up shop at the Deadline. They need to completely restart Tim Murray’s (Former Sabres GM) failed attempt at a rebuild. The Sabres need to push the reset button this season in February. They do have some very intriguing players, and some who may catch the eye of Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff. A problem that Cheveldayoff may need to fix is the backup goaltending, which hasn’t been great.
Neither of Robin Lehner or Chad Johnson have been the answer for Buffalo. Cheveldayoff really needs to resist the possible temptation to make a deal for Lehner. First of all, out of every season, and whatever team Lehner has played for, he’s only put up one winning record. That doesn’t really sound like too much of a solution. His single winning record was back in 2011/12, where he was 3-2 in five games. It’s not even that great of an accomplishment knowing it was only in five games.
Lehner has never been the starter of a winning team. Not always, but that often separates an ok goalie and a really good one. With Lehner, I think it would replicate the former failure situations of Michael Hutchinson, and Ondrej Pavelec. We don’t want to end up switching things for no reason. If Mason still isn’t the answer by the deadline, Lehner definitely won’t be either. Lehner’s price tag would be far too big, and plus throwing Mason in any deal would make it bigger.
Next: Winnipeg Jets Should Utilize Michael Hutchinson
Could we end up going for him?
I can’t say I know what’s going on in the front office, but I sure hope not. I think our first concern should be testing Michael Hutchinson out, and if unsuccessful make a move. That move shouldn’t be for Lehner.