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Next up, the Sabres new number one goalie #40 Robin Lehner G (two years left at $2.2 million per, age 24) Ottawa 9/12/3/3.02/.905 6’4”, 225 pounds with an icy glare, a background in martial arts and an affection for death metal music, Robin Lehner has a presence that screams more Georges St. Pierre than Gump Worsley. But he is the man Tim Murray has hand-picked to barricade the Buffalo crease for the foreseeable future. Two years ago, Lehner seemed poised for big things. The 46th overall pick in the 2009 draft, he used a strong performance for Sweden in the 2011 World Juniors to springboard his way to a Calder Cup victory as an AHL rookie later that year. During the next two seasons, save percentages over .935 in brief stints with the Senators only cemented his position as one of hockey’s best goaltending prospects. But he followed that up with two disappointing campaigns where bouts of inconsistency and temper, plus a concussion equaled a failed bid to take hold of the Ottawa crease. The goalie-rich Senators decided it was in their best interests to move on and they surprised many by securing a first-round pick from the Sabres in exchange for his services. Murray believes strongly a fresh start with a team where he is the unquestioned number-one will give Lehner the circumstances he needs to prove himself an upper-echelon NHL tender. He also thinks his age and contract status make him worth the price paid to acquire him when there were other, cheaper options available. Many Sabre fans are not so sure and will be quick to pounce should he get off to a poor start. Links to the rest of the series: