Chicago Blackhawks: Trade scenarios and consequences for both goalies

Robin Lehner holds much less sentimental value to the fanbase than Corey Crawford. That is not a slight on Lehner, it is just that he wasn’t here during any of the runs that saw Chicago win three Stanley Cups in six years. Right now, however, he is a better goalie than Corey Crawford. Whether he has as good of a career as him remains to be seen but in 2020, he is a better goalie.

He is also only 28 years old which is a solid seven-years younger than Crawford. A team might pay an even more hefty price for Lehner if they need a goalie for the playoffs. He is also a guy that any team that trades for will try and resign come free agency. He is certainly going to require much more term and money once the negotiations begin. After battling back to an elite level, Lehner has emerged as one of the better goalies in the NHL.

Lehner was nominated for the Vezina Trophy in 2018-19 as a member of the New York Islanders. People wondered if he was a product of Barry Trotz’s defensive system in New York, but on a Chicago team that is anything but defensive-minded, he has a .921 save percentage and a 2.91 goals-against average. This is a player that any team who needs a goalie would want.