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With a trio of talent in the system, the Ottawa Senators had no choice but to return blue-chip goalie Robin Lehner and his two-way contract to AHL Binghamton.
As an organization, the Ottawa Senators have never quite experienced the quality or quantity of goaltending ability like the one recently assembled by GM Bryan Murray. The acquisition of Craig Anderson via Colorado was a no-brainer buy at the time, and provided some significant insulation for then-developing netminder Robin Lehner as he continued to craft his game in the minors.
The acquisition of Ben Bishop from St. Louis, too, seemed worthwhile. Ottawa sacrificed a 2013 draft pick in exchange for his services, and immediately inked him to a one-year, one-way extension.
The perfect storm of events thereafter, though, would've been tough to predict.
Craig Anderson's game hasn't exactly tailed off, as some thought it may after an ugly 2010-2011 run with Colorado (.897, 3.28). His save percentage splits since then (.939, .913, .983*) and goals against averages (2.05, 2.83, 0.50) have been impressively strong, considering the questionable defensive talent in-place over the years. That, and an uptempo system that can leave a goaltender vulnerable from time-to-time.
Anderson's excellence has made Paul MacLean's life easy -- he's going with his number one regularly. For now. Robin Lehner's been insane down in the AHL, waiting in the wings (and, presumably breathing down Craig Anderson's very neck). His .945 save percentage and 1.90 GAA this season are league-leading quality, and it's probably safe to say that he's either met or exceeded Ottawa's very expectations of him already after his second-round selection in 2009.
Two goalies? Great news. Three goalies? Greater news. Ben Bishop's long been mentioned as a type that's already prepared to eat starting minutes in the NHL; such was the case in St. Louis, and such is the case now in Ottawa. Bishop's numbers in AHL action over the past two years largely justify that, with .944/.928 save percentages, and 2.48/2.59 goals against averages. In limited NHL action, he's been a
fine contributor, too.
It's a perfect storm of events, one that will inevitably come to a head when Ben Bishop's deal expires. As
carefully noted by Andy Strickland, Ben Bishop needs to log at least seven NHL games this year for Ottawa to maintain his rights, or he'll become a Group VI type and UFA at the end of the year.
Finding Bishop seven games in the shortened year wouldn't presumably be tough, but my guess is the Ottawa organization would much rather have Robin Lehner filling in those spots. While the team would love to keep Bishop around, it still appears likely that Bishop will be headed to a team that desperately seeks goaltending, and if the past few days is any indication, there are quite a few landing spots already.
Back with more tomorrow.
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