According to The Athletic’s Craig Custance, goaltender Robin Lehner has visited Detroit as the Wings look for a back-up to support Jimmy Howard:
Multiple sources confirmed that 26-year-old goalie Robin Lehner made an in-person visit to Detroit on Tuesday, meeting with Red Wings management and coaches. Lehner has been the Sabres starting goalie but became an unrestricted free agent when the Sabres declined to give him a qualifying offer.
The Red Wings have a backup goalie position to fill, one that is among the more appealing spots in the market since starter Jimmy Howard’s contract is up after this season. There’s also the outside expectation that the backup goalie signed in Detroit will get plenty of playing time because of Howard’s propensity to get injured at some point during the season.
Lehner is an especially interesting option because he’s still young enough that he could re-emerge as a legit No. 1 goalie after struggling last season in Buffalo with a .908 save percentage. In his first two seasons with the Sabres, Lehner had a .921 save percentage in 80 games played. He has personality quirks, isn’t afraid to speak his mind and may have the occasional meltdown – all things that are part of the equation on a young team. But he might have the most upside of any goalie on the market. New Red Wings assistant coach Dan Bylsma, who coached Lehner in Buffalo, knows him well.
The Red Wings have also spoken with the representatives for Carter Hutton and Jonathan Bernier among others. Hutton has been the most sought-after of the backup goalies and with that comes the expectation that he’ll get a three-year deal. Hutton was great last season for the Blues, finishing with a career-high .931 save percentage. He’s also in high demand, with the Hurricanes and Bruins among the interested teams.
Custance continues (paywall), reporting that the Wings are talking to Valtteri Filppula (as a fall-back, pun intended, if Henrik Zetterberg gets hurt), Thomas Vanek and Mike Green; the team is also working on a bridge deal for Anthony Mantha and a long-term extension for Dylan Larkin.
Z leaving would be too early. Another year of grooming for Larks. This would leave a huge hole at center.
Lehner is a hot head, Flip is done, Vanek (not sure)
Go after Hutton (young) and let over paid Jimmy (Old) accept a trade to Islanders.
WTH is KH thinking? This is a rebuild not a retirement home!
Hutton is 32
“the Wings are talking to Valtteri Filppula (as a fall-back, pun intended, if Henrik Zetterberg gets hurt), Thomas Vanek”
I finally get it. Holland hates defensemen. I think he is getting his revenge on good dmen, by not drafting or promoting them because he blames them for his goalie career going bad.
How many forwards and centers have the Wings drafted in the last 5 or so years? And the Wings cannot attempt to fill ANY vacancy with a young player? I understand there is really no replacing Z, as there was no replacing Pavel or Nick, but come on already!
WHERE IS THE REBUILD? Or we are back to rebuild on the fly, that’s right. Holland is a weather vane. Which way the wind blows he goes. Or maybe he is a politician.
I missed Fillpula, but ZERO point bringing him back. No value in making playoffs and even less in a rebuild. We already have Nielson for 3 more years to fill our 3rd line center (although he needs to be used better)
Good points Kris. Totally agree.
The following Red Wings forwards can be used at C, if Z retires.
Larkin.
Nielsen.
Rasmussen.
Athanasiou.
Helm.
Glendening.
Turgeon.
Rid AA for assets. He’s another Mrazek—can’t be counted on.