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Sabres trade pick #21 to Ottawa for Robin Lehner and David Legwand

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reported earlier this morning that the Sabres were closing in on Robin Lehner. Now, Bob McKenzie reports that it’s official. The Sabres will get Lehner and forward David Legwand for the 21st pick in the draft. The Sabres have their goalie.

Lehner, 23, played 26 games with the Senators last season, posting a 9-12-3 record and a .905 save percentage. The 2013-14 season was the biggest sample size for Lehner, 36 games. He had better numbers then, including a .913 save percentage. The young backup fits Murray’s vision for a goalie with a big frame, towering over the net at 6’5′ and 225 lbs. He is signed for two more years at a cap hit of $2.25 million.

Lehner has had some concussion issues in the past, including one this season, suffered in a game against Carolina. He has also been in a goalie fight back in the AHL, which is important if you like watching men in large pads who are bad at punching hit each other.

Here’s a highlight video of Lehner for your viewing pleasure.

Legwand will be one of the oldest players on the team at 34, and adds to the team’s already enormous center depth. His point totals have fallen off since his height, which was about 40 points. He scored nine goals and 18 assists in 80 games for Ottawa last season. He’s a salary dump for Ottawa, as he will make $3 million next year for his services, but provides some necessary bottom six depth and, as a former #2 pick himself in 1998, can help bring along the Sabres gaggle of young star forwards.

On the surface this seems like overpayment for an unproven goalie and a guy who will make $3 million to play on the third or fourth line, and certainly puts a ton of pressure of Lehner right away next year to perform, but as with all trades, only time will tell. In the meantime, feel free to leave some scorching hot takes in the comments.