I'm sure Varlamov will be fine. If we're lucky, he'll give us the same goaltending we could have gotten for the same price and fewer years at a younger age with Lehner, which I guess still confuses me.

I know about the ultimatum, and Lehner not giving an answer quickly enough so the Isles moved on. But it seems like the Isles had one foot out the door already (we've all read how Lou tried to trade for Varlamov last year and how Korn favors him as well). If they really wanted Lehner back that badly, my guess is the ultimatum snafu would have been avoided with clearer, and earlier, communication.

It sounds to me like Varlamov was probably the first choice here, and if that's the case you have to wonder if the Isles happily paid more for someone they wanted rather than someone they needed. How much better than "best tandem in the league" can you really get with Varlamov instead of Lehner, and is that worth the two or three extra years you have to commit to an older goalie with hip and knee injury history?
- UIF

I think that too.. they only gave Lehner the offer b/c he earned it. As soon as he hung up that phone they moved on to who they originally wanted to sign last summer.

I think the Varlamov signing will work out. The teams in Colorado for most of his time were bottom 5 in the league. The only times they actually made the playoffs was when He carried the team. (Obviously they were a better team last year).. just looking where they finished when he was on the team (17th, 26th, 7th, 21, 22, 30th, in the league). The 7th was when he almost won the Vezina in 2013/14. The bottom line is our coaches wanted him last year and tried to trade for him. This year they wanted him but tried to do the right thing by Lehner first... he did not sign which was a huge mistake by Robin, so they quickly went after their guy. If these guys who are the best goalie coaches in the game wanted him so badly I think it's crazy for us to question it without seeing how it works out. .... When they grabbed Lehner off the scrap heap last year No one around the NHL thought it was a good sign. It turned out pretty well....

would I rather have Robin for 2 years instead of Varly for 4? yeah, probably but I trust these guys. Until they give me reason not to trust them.
- niteislander

Absolutely not. The GM's on HB have more knowledge than most employed by the NHL, come on

I think that too.. they only gave Lehner the offer b/c he earned it. As soon as he hung up that phone they moved on to who they originally wanted to sign last summer.
- niteislander

So it seems...

So it seems...
- Cptmjl

Fair

Fair
- nyisles7

Lehner wanted to stay for any term until he didn't

Lehner wanted to stay for any term until he didn't
- Upstate_isles

Pretty Much. Good post.

Lehner wanted to stay for any term until he didn't
- Upstate_isles

As far as you know. I mean the guy probably thought he would have an option to negotiate 😂

As far as you know. I mean the guy probably thought he would have an option to negotiate 😂
- Cptmjl

He certainly earned one

As far as you know. I mean the guy probably thought he would have an option to negotiate 😂
- Cptmjl

I think Lehner called to negotiate but Lou wasn’t at work that day. He’s a wildcard I have heard.

I think Lehner called to negotiate but Lou wasn’t at work that day. He’s a wildcard I have heard.
- nyisles7

Did you hear that over beers with casey? Nuggets at a players home?

I think Lehner called to negotiate but Lou wasn’t at work that day. He’s a wildcard I have heard.
- nyisles7

I heard the same thing over dinner with some players but I didn’t believe them so I never posted it here. Maybe it’s true after all.

Did you hear that over beers with casey? Nuggets at a players home?
- Upstate_isles

You got the wrong Guy, I go to players Weddings and get Nuggets

I heard the same thing over dinner with some players but I didn’t believe them so I never posted it here. Maybe it’s true after all.
- Cptmjl

Casey and Martin again

You got the wrong Guy, I go to players Weddings and get Nuggets
- nyisles7

Baptisms

Casey and Martin again
- nyisles7

I stopped hanging out with those guys after their playoff performance. I ain’t got time for that.

Baptisms
- Cptmjl

Oh, thanks those too

I stopped hanging out with those guys after their playoff performance. I ain’t got time for that.
- Cptmjl

Meh, they are Players and I love the Nugz so I tolerate them.

Meh, they are Players and I love the Nugz so I tolerate them.
- nyisles7

I prefer chicks but ok.

I prefer under aged chicks but ok.
- Cptmjl

Fixed

Fixed
- nyisles7

Surprised it took so long.

Meh, they are Players and I love Nuts so I tolerate them.
- nyisles7

Fixed

I stopped hanging out with those guys after their playoff performance. I ain’t got time for that.
- Cptmjl

Fixed
- Upstate_isles

Not sure about the players but he definitely gargles with Lameriello’s balls.

Not sure about the players but he definitely gargles with Lameriello’s balls.
- Cptmjl

Not sure about the players but he definitely gargles with Lameriello’s balls.
- Cptmjl

Oh yeah love me some Italian meat ball