According to a report from Bob McKenzie of TSN, the Buffalo Sabres will not give goaltender Robin Lehner a qualifying offer. Therefore the 26-year-old goalie will become an unrestricted free agent.
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
This move isn’t a surprise after last season and the Sabres wanting to go with the future in Linus Ullmark.
Lehner was acquired along with David Legwand on draft day in 2015 for a first round and has been under the microscope in Buffalo ever since. Last season was his worst with the Sabres from a number perspective. He has a 3.01 goals against average and a .908 save percentage.
This move also indicates the Sabres will without a doubt be in the market for a goaltender to at least split time with Ullmark next season. There’s a few options in free agency, but they are not great. The trade route is a possibility as well for Jason Botterill.