The Blackhawks traded goaltender Robin Lehner to the Golden Knights for goaltender Malcolm Subban, defenseman prospect Slava Demin and a second-round pick in the 2020 NHL draft prior to the NHL’s trade deadline Monday.
Lehner is 16-10-5 with a .918 save percentage, 3.01 goals-against average and 10.53 goals-saved above average this season, his first with Chicago since signing a one-year, $5 million contract July 1. The 28-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Lehner, however, wanted to stay with the Blackhawks as he offered to take a three-year contract extension for less money but he “never got an offer,” a source told Mark Lazerus of The Athletic.
Lehner and veteran Blackhawks goaltender, Corey Crawford were consistently vying for that top goalie spot all season. Crawford has proved himself to be great over the years he’s spent with Chicago, but lately his abilities have not been top notch.
Chicago has had issues lately with finding a goalie to eventually move on from Crawford, who is 35 years old and has many health issues the past couple of seasons. With this trade, it is led to believe that the Blackhawks plan to stick with Crawford in the near future.
I think this is one of Stan Bowman’s (General Manager) worst trades, second to trading Artemi Panarin a couple seasons ago. You have a great goalie, who was a Vezina Trophy (awarded to the goalie voted the best at his position) finalist last season, that is willing to take a pay cut to stay with your team, but you choose to just trade him away.
The Blackhawks need to think about the future of their team, their core players are all well into their thirties and they are not left with any good, younger players besides Alex Debrincat.
What do you guys think about this trade?
All Things Sports With Cheyenne 