I think what it comes down to is that you are probably going to need to choose between Lehner and Anderson. I know that sounds weird, but there aren't many goalies out there like Rask that will agree to sit back and let another goalie play #1 whenever they want to. Anderson will always be up to the challenge, he's a workhorse of a goalie and he's just entering his prime. On top of which he has shown the ability to be a top 5 - 10 goalie in the league.
When you consider what Anderson already brings to the table it becomes increasingly apparent that unless Lehner is willing to take a backseat for possibly years to come (Murray has alluded to Anderson being the cornerstone goalie of this franchise for at least the next 3 - 5 years) then he will have to go.
Ultimately when it comes down to value as much as Sens fans value Lehner and I'm sure other teams do too...when it comes to the NHL level Bishop has proven just as much if not more. On top of which he's actually an ideal goalie to play in a crease clearing system like the one the Sens are currently employing. Rather than blocking as many shots as possible you leave Bishop huge in the net and clean up the mess because he will let out some rebounds.
The way I see their value going into the summer...
Bishop: I see his value rising every game. It's not hard to look at the biggest goalie in NHL history, see that he's a smart player with intensity and the ability to handle the puck. He's positionally sound and as he grows and becomes more positionally sound it will become very difficult to beat him. This season will really up his value IMO especially because of Anderson's injury. (Urbom + 2nd, mid 1st round pick, major piece in a move for Niederreiter or maybe Tyutin/Brassard, MPS, etc.)
Lehner: What he has done at his age and the fire he has shown can't be matched by many goalies in the NHL. He has all the raw skill in the world and he's maturing every year. However, he has shown a bit of cockiness and impatience. I don't think it's a bad thing, but it could put us in a weird spot moving forward just because of Anderson's emergence. There's no doubt he's one of the best, if not the best, goalie prospects in all of hockey...but that's just it. He's a prospect who hasn't really proven much at the NHL level and regardless of what he's accomplished in the AHL that does have an affect on his value. (Similar in value to Bishop, if not a bit more)
Anderson: Honestly I don't know what else to write here except he has been amazing for this team. He has improved even in the short time that he's been here. He's only 31 years old and as has been seen many times in the NHL goalies often come into their prime around this age and age quite well. This means that we could have anywhere from 5 - 10 years of an elite goalie that has already proven his elite levels in the NHL (and the ability to amp up his game in the playoffs). It's not something you let go of...especially in this city. It's something you appreciate and lean on. I put my eggs in this basket (Anderson has the most value by far...a true top 6 forward and picks, something of that value)
I guess it comes down to Lehner vs. Anderson to me. I take the proven product who has done wonders for this team. I'd really like it if Lehner were willing to wait in line and maybe play second fiddle to Anderson for a few years and then maybe 1A - 1B down the line. I just feel like his "ego" might not bear that kind of thing. Bishop seems more likely to play the back-up to Anderson IMO -- although he'd likely want a starting job not too far down the line too. It's a really tough situation.
I think what it comes down to is that you are probably going to need to choose between Lehner and Anderson. I know that sounds weird, but there aren't many goalies out there like Rask that will agree to sit back and let another goalie play #1 whenever they want to. Anderson will always be up to the challenge, he's a workhorse of a goalie and he's just entering his prime. On top of which he has shown the ability to be a top 5 - 10 goalie in the league.
When you consider what Anderson already brings to the table it becomes increasingly apparent that unless Lehner is willing to take a backseat for possibly years to come (Murray has alluded to Anderson being the cornerstone goalie of this franchise for at least the next 3 - 5 years) then he will have to go.
Ultimately when it comes down to value as much as Sens fans value Lehner and I'm sure other teams do too...when it comes to the NHL level Bishop has proven just as much if not more. On top of which he's actually an ideal goalie to play in a crease clearing system like the one the Sens are currently employing. Rather than blocking as many shots as possible you leave Bishop huge in the net and clean up the mess because he will let out some rebounds.
The way I see their value going into the summer...
Bishop: I see his value rising every game. It's not hard to look at the biggest goalie in NHL history, see that he's a smart player with intensity and the ability to handle the puck. He's positionally sound and as he grows and becomes more positionally sound it will become very difficult to beat him. This season will really up his value IMO especially because of Anderson's injury. (Urbom + 2nd, mid 1st round pick, major piece in a move for Niederreiter or maybe Tyutin/Brassard, MPS, etc.)
Lehner: What he has done at his age and the fire he has shown can't be matched by many goalies in the NHL. He has all the raw skill in the world and he's maturing every year. However, he has shown a bit of cockiness and impatience. I don't think it's a bad thing, but it could put us in a weird spot moving forward just because of Anderson's emergence. There's no doubt he's one of the best, if not the best, goalie prospects in all of hockey...but that's just it. He's a prospect who hasn't really proven much at the NHL level and regardless of what he's accomplished in the AHL that does have an affect on his value. (Similar in value to Bishop, if not a bit more)
Anderson: Honestly I don't know what else to write here except he has been amazing for this team. He has improved even in the short time that he's been here. He's only 31 years old and as has been seen many times in the NHL goalies often come into their prime around this age and age quite well. This means that we could have anywhere from 5 - 10 years of an elite goalie that has already proven his elite levels in the NHL (and the ability to amp up his game in the playoffs). It's not something you let go of...especially in this city. It's something you appreciate and lean on. I put my eggs in this basket (Anderson has the most value by far...a true top 6 forward and picks, something of that value)
I guess it comes down to Lehner vs. Anderson to me. I take the proven product who has done wonders for this team. I'd really like it if Lehner were willing to wait in line and maybe play second fiddle to Anderson for a few years and then maybe 1A - 1B down the line. I just feel like his "ego" might not bear that kind of thing. Bishop seems more likely to play the back-up to Anderson IMO -- although he'd likely want a starting job not too far down the line too. It's a really tough situation.
Trade Bishop in the off-season and go with Anderson/Lehner as our goalie duo for next season.
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Exhibit A as to how hockey doesn't matter on ESPN:
Last night an ESPN program was discussing how the Detroit Pistons needed a hero citing the heroes on the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions and no mention of the Detroit Red Wings. All this despite the Red Wings probably being the most succesful team in Detroit right now.
Bishop goes. I'm thinking most people regard Lehner as the better prospect. Bishop is still a prospect given he is far from proven and has so few NHL games under his belt. Goalies for the most part are hard to predict but I don't see this team giving up on Lehner nor do I want them to.
The value of Anderson and Bishop is as high as it has ever been. Business sense says trade one of them while their value is high and or overinflated. It's more a of a gamble to move Anderson since he is the most proven NHL goalie of the lot but he may also offer the highest return package. It really is a difficult decision for Murray as I have no idea what I would do other than keep Lehner.
To the guys that think Lehner should 'bide his time'..etc. Look at ROR...and that offer sheet. That's why you cater to quality talent..if you don't, some other team will.
To the guys that think Lehner should 'bide his time'..etc. Look at ROR...and that offer sheet. That's why you cater to quality talent..if you don't, some other team will.
I might have totally misunderstood you, but it sounded to me like you said that people are calling Lehner NHL ready after one good game, although in reality he has had many.
I might have totally misunderstood you, but it sounded to me like you said that people are calling Lehner NHL ready after one good game, although in reality he has had many.
I'm really confused now
This season, Lehner has had 1 good NHL game. Bishop has had a handful. Both have been very good in the AHL.
People claim that Bishop hasnt shown himself to be anything more than a backup if that, and should be traded. They now claim that Lehner has proved that he ready.
Im just saying that this board has had a big hard on for Lehner for a long time, and a lot of people seem to dislike Bishop for the sole reason that he has kept Lehner out of the NHL. I mean, Bishop is no idiot, he has heard the talk that he is nothing more than a seat warmer, yet he is still playing like he is. The kid deserves far more credit in the "what do we do going forward game".
