A restricted free agent this summer, the Ottawa Senators have come to terms with goaltender Robin Lehner. The 23-year-old signed a three-year contract to remain in Canada’s capital city. He went 12-15-6 with a .913 save percentage last season in 30 starts. This move will secure their goaltending situation for the near future as Craig Anderson, 33, is under contract for only next season before he hits UFA status.
Lehner, a Sweden native, was the 46th overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He spent time with their AHL affiliate in Binghamton where he won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the league’s most valuable player in the post-season after helping Binghamton win the 2010-11 Calder Cup. Last season was his first full-time season with the Senators, where he earned one shutout (second in the NHL).
In February when he earned his first shootout victory, he made franchise history when he became the first goaltender in franchise history to face greater than 50 shots in one game and earn a victory when they earned a road victory in St. Louis over the Blues by a 5-4 score.
His $6.675 million contract will carry a cap hit of $2.225 million. The year-by-year spread of his contract is back loaded as his earnings will be $1.5 million, $2.025 million and $3.15 million respectively according to the team.