Blackhawks Trade Robin Lehner To Golden Knights

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(670 The Score) By all accounts, goalie Robin Lehner thoroughly enjoyed Chicago and playing for the Blackhawks.

That tenure has come to an end, at least for now.

The Blackhawks traded Lehner to the Vegas Golden Knights minutes before the trade deadline passed Monday afternoon. In return, Chicago received a second-round pick in the 2020 draft, 26-year-old goalie Malcolm Subban and 19-year-old defenseman prospect Slava Demin.

Lehner's future had been up in the air entering the day, as there was some thought the Blackhawks could look to sign him to an extension and make him their goalie of the future after he signed a one-year, $5-million deal with Chicago last summer. Lehner apparently hoped that would be the case, as he expressed interest to the Blackhawks in signing a three-year extension at less than market value, Mark Lazerus of the Athletic reported.

Instead, the price desires of the two sides and the Blackhawks' view didn't align, so they sent him to the Golden Knights.

Subban is 9-7-3 with a 3.18 goals against average and .890 save percentage in 20 games, including 19 starts. He's under contract through the end of this season. Subban has appeared in 65 career games in the NHL across parts of five seasons. The Bruins selected him in the first round of the 2012 draft.

Demin is currently a sophomore at the University of Denver, for which he has two goals and seven assists in 30 games this season. The Golden Knights selected him in the fourth round in the 2018 draft.

Lehner, 28, produced well for the Blackhawks for most of the season before a recent rough stretch. He's 16-10-5 with a 3.01 goals against average and .918 save percentage in 33 games, including 31 starts. Lehner has split goaltending duties with veteran Corey Crawford, who's also set to become a free agent this summer. Crawford projects to be cheaper in free agency, should Chicago have interest in retaining him. 

Lehner expressed his appreciation for Blackhawks fans and the city in a tweet shortly after news of the trade broke. It's possible the Blackhawks could pursue him again in free agency next summer.

Thank you Chicago. What a great city. Fans were unbelievable and I’m not going to forget the short time there. I believe in this team and still do. Great teammates! gonna miss all of you. The city and guys deserve the best. --was born in Chicago.

— Robin Lehner (@RobinLehner) February 24, 2020