The Buffalo Sabres announced they re-signed goaltender Robin Lehner to a one-year, $4-million deal for the 2017-18 season.
Lehner started 79 games for the Sabres over the past two seasons, posting a record of 28-35-13 with a .921 save percentage and 2.63 goals-against average.
The 26-year-old was originally selected 46th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2009 draft. He owns a career .918 SV% and 2.76 GAA through 155 starts and 166 games played.
The short-term pact will have Lehner become a restricted free-agent at the end of the season. Veteran Chad Johnson will serve as the Sabres' backup goaltender this coming season and become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Twenty-three-year-old goaltender Linus Ullmark is viewed as the future of the team in the crease, but he has appeared in just 21 NHL games over the past two years and struggled to a .909 SV% in 55 games at the AHL level last season.
According to Cap Friendly, the Sabres have two remaining RFAs in forward Zemgus Girgensons and defenseman Nathan Beaulieu. They are currently an approximate $11 million below the 2017-18 salary cap.
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