Robin Lehner hasn’t played a game with the New York Islanders yet (in regular season action), but he doesn’t appear to be missing his old home all that much.
The 27-year-old recently signed a one-year $1.5 million contract with the Isles after spending the past three seasons between the pipes in Buffalo. With the Sabres, the Swede failed to reach the playoffs on what has generally been viewed as an underwhelming squad. Lehner likely expected to start the season in goal for New York, but has conceded starts to Thomas Greiss, though the decision by head coach Barry Trotz hasn’t seemed to bother him very much. When asked about the situation, Lehner revealed that just being with the Isles feels “like being part of a real team.”
Yeah… you probably could have guessed that Sabres fans weren’t too thrilled with his comment.
After showing promise with the Ottawa Senators to start his career, Lehner didn’t quite live up to what was expected of him when he moved to Buffalo. The Isles will host the Sabres on New Year’s Eve so there’s still plenty of time for him to win the starting gig and get some revenge on his old squad.
(H/T Andrew Gross)
