Possible destinations for Anderson or Lehner.

[The Black Panther]

GARRIOCH
Anderson and Lehner: A keeper and a goner

48

BY BRUCE GARRIOCH, OTTAWA SUNFIRST POSTED: SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2015 05:29 PM EDT | UPDATED: SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2015 07:02 PM EDT

Ottawa Senators goalie Robin Lehner (40) celebrates a win over the Columbus Blue Jackets with teammate Craig Anderson



The buck stops with Bryan Murray where the crowded crease is concerned.
The Senators GM has decided what he wants and now he's trying to determine exactly what he can get.
This season isn't even over yet, with the Stanley Cup final set to start on Wednesday, and the players won't report for training camp until mid-September. But already Murray and assistant GMs Pierre Dorion and Randy Lee are trying to shape the roster for next year.
Naturally, all eyes are on Ottawa's net because it can't keep everybody.
The Senators' decision to sign Andrew (The Hamburglar) Hammond to a three-year, $4.05-million contract extension earlier this month means somebody will be dealt. No, he didn't get a "no-move" clause in his deal, but the 27-year-old has already been pencilled in for 20 games as the backup next season.
That means before the NHL entry draft is held on June 26-27 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla., Murray will try to deal either 23-year-old backup Robin Lehner or 31-year-old Craig Anderson because the Senators have no desire to go to camp with three goaltenders -- although that possibility has not been ruled out.
A couple of league executives noted in discussions with the Sun last week that it can be difficult to get the value a team wants for a goalie. Ideally, the Senators would like to get the elusive top-six forward they've always wanted in return. That may mean this deal has to get bigger.
"(It) depends on who it is," said one league executive. "It's always hard to move a goalie given (the fact) that there are only 58 places to put them."
Sure, the Senators could sit and wait, but it would create an awkward situation in camp. Generally speaking, the offers for either Lehner or Anderson will be better around the time of the draft or before July 1 free agency than they would be when teams have most of their players in place in September.
Here's a look at the landscape Murray is dealing with:
SERIOUSLY SEEKING A SAVIOUR
San Jose Sharks
The issue here is that Sharks GM Doug Wilson -- by all accounts -- can be extremely difficult to deal with. He's known in several circles as a terrible tire-kicker who has a hard time pulling the trigger on a trade. After they failed to make the playoffs, the Sharks decided to allow Antti Niemi to leave as a UFA. The issue? Uh, they need a replacement because Alex Stalock isn't ready for prime time. You'd have to think given the Sharks' situation they don't have time to wait for Lehner to become a starter and they may have more interest in a guy like Anderson because he's proven he can get the job done. But we just don't see the Sharks as a fit because of Wilson. Who knows? Maybe San Jose will offer up Joe Thornton or Patrick Marleau in a deal to get Anderson. Okay, okay, just kidding ... sort of.
Buffalo Sabres
With coach Dan Bylsma signed, sealed and delivered to a five-year deal, he'll need somebody to stop the puck. The only goalie the Sabres have signed is Chad Johnson, acquired from the Islanders at the deadline in March. Buffalo GM Tim Murray was part of the Ottawa staff that drafted Lehner, likely the guy he wants if he's going to take either of the Sens' netminders. Buffalo has a young group, the club has Jack Eichel coming in at next month's NHL entry draft and you have to think Lehner is at the age where he could grow with the team. You have to wonder what the Sabres could offer to get a deal done, but they've certainly got picks to make it happen. This one will be interesting to watch.
Edmonton Oilers
GM Peter Chiarelli and coach Todd McLellan certainly have their work cut out for them. Yes, they're going to score Connor McDavid with the No. 1 overall pick next month, but he can't stop the puck. The Oilers are among the teams (including San Jose and Buffalo) that have already talked to Ottawa about their goaltenders. This is another place where Lehner makes sense because of his age and the makeup of the Edmonton group. Plus, the Oilers certainly have what the Senators like on their roster to make a deal if Murray wants to go this route. Another team that has a decision to make which way it wants to go before the draft.
MAYBE, MAYBE NOT
Dallas Stars
Really, GM Jim Nill's hands are pretty much tied because Kari Lehtonen is signed for three more years at $5.9 million per season -- which means he can't be dealt. The Stars didn't make the post-season and have a decision to make here if they'd like someone to push Lehtonen. They'd have interest in Lehner, but it would be a difficult deal to make.
St. Louis Blues
GM Doug Armstrong has come to the realization that Jake Allen needs more time and this team likely isn't going anywhere with Brian Elliott. This will be a tough move for them to make, but they've got to try to do something, especially after deciding to keep coach Ken Hitchcock following a very public failed attempt to get Mike Babcock.
Toronto Maple Leafs
While James Reimer has one year left at $2.3 million and Jonathan Bernier is an RFA, the Leafs have to decide if this really is the answer to try to get back to respectability. Reimer can fetch them something on the trade market. It's doubtful the Senators would ever deal with the Leafs, but Murray has thought about it in the past.
WHO ELSE IS OUT THERE?
Cam Talbot Rangers
He did an admirable job when Henrik Lundqvist was injured and would be an attractive option.
Cam Ward Hurricanes
He has one year left at $6.3 million and wasn't very good last year. You have to think he bounces back.
Antti Niemi San Jose
A UFA, he'll be a guy teams will look at because they can get him for the cost of term.
Brian Elliott St. Louis
The Blues have likely decided it's time to move on from him. He'll be able to help somebody.
Eddie Lack Canucks
The Canucks are trying to make room for Jacob Markstrom and GM Jim Benning is seeking a second-round pick in return.
THE VERDICT
Robin Lehner: He's young, but coming off a concussion that kept him sidelined from mid-February until the end of the season. This guy has massive potential, but hasn't been able to seize the No. 1 job in Ottawa. The Senators know they've got a guy who is going to be a great goalie down the road and they need to get the proper return if they're going to move him. Talk all you want about interest in both goalies, but this is the guy who will likely get dealt.
Craig Anderson: He is the club's best goalie right now and will give them a shot at making the playoffs next year and the year after. What he showed in the series against the Habs is that nothing fazes him and, even after being on the shelf for nearly two months, he doesn't miss a beat. A team looking for a veteran will show interest, but it just doesn't seem like the Senators will get what they want for him.
Have a nice Sunday and enjoy the Stanley Cup final.

[CHunter]

I can see Anderson to Buffalo....makes sense...

[YzermansLegacy]

With Hamburglar providing some cheap term and O'Connor inked, I have to think that OTT's going to move Lehner.

Full disclosure that I have a serious man-crush on Lehner and think he will one day be among the elite tenders in the league... but from a pure "return" and transitional perspective for Ottawa - dealing him makes the most sense.

Plus, when 2 of the top 3 teams listed in the article are ideal from a core-age-group growing together standpoint, and 1 GM is a former AGM who drafted him and watched him win a Calder Cup... despite them being in the same division, I still think Lehner goes to BUF.

[gooding74]

With Antti Niemi a UFA now, who's going to be the starter in San Jose next season? A veteran team needs a veteran goalie, so I'm predicting Anderson goes to the Sharks.

[BradyJets]

There was talk in SJ earlier this year that Niemi may even re-sign with the Sharks, since they don't LOVE their other optioins, but Anderson or even Lehner could fit well there. More likely Anderson fits better for SJS, but Lehner would be who OTT deals I think.