The Buffalo Sabres and Edmonton Oilers' opening night games were meant to be something of a litmus test for the two generational prospects, Buffalo's Jack Eichel and Edmonton's Connor McDavid, chosen with the top two selections in the 2015 NHL Draft. And to an extent, that's what it was. By most accounts, both players acquitted themselves well, though there were certainly signs of rookie uncertainty, with Eichel eventually finishing with something of a leg up on McDavid thanks to one heck of a season and career-opening goal. Still, the story that stole headlines was the injury to Sabres goaltender Robin Lehner. With Lehner out for something other than the short term, is there a potential goalie trade on the horizon in Buffalo?
Not so fast.
Craig Custance of ESPN is reporting that the Sabres and GM Tim Murray - yes, that Tim Murray, the Tim Murray who traded for Evander Kane, Ryan O'Reilly and Lehner this offseason - have not yet determined whether they'll pursue a trade for a starting netminder.
Considering career back-up Chad Johnson is next in line for the Sabres should Lehner's injury indeed prove to be more of the long-term variety, things aren't exactly looking up for Buffalo to start the 2015-16 NHL season. Johnson's best season came in 2013-14 with Boston when he posted a .925 save percentage and 2.10 goals against average in 27 games, 23 starts, but he quickly followed that with a 17-start, 19-game 2014-15 season with the Islanders in which he managed a .889 save percentage and a 3.08 goals against average.
Of course, options abound around the NHL should the Sabres and Murray choose to pursue a trade. One of the Calgary Flames three, count them three, netminders could probably be pried from GM Brad Treliving's not-quite firm grip. Johnas Hiller and Karri Ramo are in the midst of a battle for the top spot, with the loser likely headed elsewhere. Hiller's big cap hit, $4.5 million, and save percentage last year, .918, could make him an enticing trade candidate for both teams. Youngster Joni Ortio is an option, but he oddly enough seems the likeliest to stick in Calgary.
The Wild are dealing with a similar situation behind Devan Dubnyk. Niklas Backstrom and Darcy Kuemper are competing for the No. 2 spot and it's likely the Wild wouldn't mind shedding themselves of Backstrom's $4 million cap hit.
There are plenty of free agents available as well, though, unsurprisingly, none are particularly appealing. Former big names like Ray Emery, Ilya Bryzgalov and Peter Budaj remain on the market at this late date, though for obvious reasons.
In the end, Murray and Co. have the assets and the cap space - about $9.5 million, per GeneralFanager.com - to make whatever change they determine is necessary. The route they choose will likely be determined by the severity of Lehner's "not short-term" injury.
This article has been updated.
