A CANDIDATE IN GOAL AT 56 OR 62
The PB Q & A with Robin Lehner, coming to the CHL
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Do not count on the Islanders drafting a goaltender with any of their first four selections at 1, 26, 31 or 37 for three reasons. The Islanders must improve their roster with high-end skill at forward and defense. The goaltending talent in this draft does not include a no-questions-asked top-37 pick. The team is also said to be satisfied so far by the development of 2008 fifth round pick Kevin Poulin.
On the other hand, the Islanders, as you know, need goaltenders. Their depth chart at the position consists of an All-Star coming off major injuries in Rick DiPietro, seen recently at a charity event not walking with 100% comfort. Beyond DiPietro, the Islanders do not have a goaltender under contract - they will sign at least one at the opening of the UFA market on July 1 - and the prospect pool outside of Poulin ranges from uncertain to underwhelming.
Based on their draft board, look for Garth Snow and Ryan Jankowski to consider the drafting of a goaltender with their third second round pick (56th overall, from Boston in the Petteri Nokelainen trade) or early third round pick (62nd overall).
One of about 4 or 5 netminders who could be available in that range is 6-4, 220-pound Robin Lehner, who started (but underachieved) for Team Sweden at the World Under-18 Championships. Lehner is flawed, but confident and determined. So much so that, well…here’s our conversation. To be clear, we present this interview not because we think the Islanders will draft Lehner, but because we were able to get him on the phone. These Swedish guys are class acts.
Do you have a timeline to come to North America to eventually start your hockey career?
Right away.
What do you mean? Most players from Sweden play in the Elite League for at least a year or two. I figured you’d be with Frolunda for a while.
I turned down my contract offer from Frolunda so I could be free to play anywhere.
Really?
Yes. I love my country, love playing there and have been proud to play for our national teams and hope I always earn that chance. But I want to be in the NHL, the best league in the world. I know there are areas of my game that have to get better to make it in the NHL, and I want to start working on them as soon as possible in North America. My goal is to get a lot of games in the Canadian Hockey League next season.
You seem very determined about this.
I am. It’s what I really want. My agent Don Meehan has known and we have a plan together. For me, it’s all about someday getting to the NHL.
Has Henrik Lundqvist’s success in the NHL and obvious joy of being over here changed the landscape for Swedish goalies?
For some of us, I think that is correct. Any competitor wants to play against the best. Coming straight to the CHL gives me the best opportunity.
I don’t mean to make the leap that everyone in Sweden knows each other, but do you know Lundqvist?
I know him very well. Our families are good friends. He is a good friend. My father Michael was his goalie coach for three years in Sweden and still talks with him. My father used to try techniques on me when I was younger and decide if they would be best for Henrik.
What would your father say you need to work on the most?
Rebound control. I feel I’ve made a lot of improvements just in the last few months. I’ve worked on it non-stop.
What would you think of being drafted by the Islanders?
Are you kidding? I love New York. I know all about the Islanders and their history. They have a great goaltender in Rick DiPietro. To maybe someday be teammates with him and maybe get to have a rivalry with Henrik against the Rangers would be an incredible thing. That sounds good to me.
Did you meet with the Islanders at the Draft Combine?
Yes, they were one of my 23 meetings. I had 16 the first day and they were one of them. I was so excited to meet with them.
What do you remember about the Islanders meeting?
They wanted to know what happened at the Under-18s in Fargo. [Sweden was considered a contender, but finished fifth and Lehner - 2.80 GAA, .916 save percentage - was inconsistent]. They were tough on that, but it was good to talk it over. I learned from that experience. I don’t want to get into it with you, but I went through everything with the Islanders. No excuses. I have to play better.
How was the overall combine experience?
It made me want to be in the NHL even more. I had a great week. I spent most of the time with Victor Hedman, (Jacob) Josefson and (Carl) Klingberg. We really enjoyed it.
Is Hedman any good?
Ha! He’s amazing.
How about Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson?
With his shot and offensive ability, I think he could be a star in the NHL if everything works out for him.
Is it tough doing the strenuous physical testing in front of more than a hundred scouts?
Not so bad. I have a method: I tried to pretend nobody else was in the room.
How did that work out?
I’m not sure if my method worked, but I did okay.
Are you going to the draft in Montreal?
I don’t know yet. My agent is going to do some research, get an idea what round I could be taken. Based on that, we’ll decide if I should be there or not. Because the draft is over two days, most players that attend are ones who know for sure they will be in the first round, maybe the first half of the second.
Depending on who you ask, I’m not sure if I’m in that group right now. That’s okay. Even if I stay home, it’s going to be a great weekend. And I’ll be back in Canada soon enough.
Comments.
63 Responses to “A CANDIDATE IN GOAL AT 56 OR 62
The PB Q & A with Robin Lehner, coming to the CHL”
Please Wait
If this kid falls to us late 2nd, early 3rd, yes please.
we should try and take him. i would prefer us getting him with pittsburghs pick if he falls that far but we’ll see
With the butterfly technique being related to injuries lately, I’m concerned about a 6-4 220lb goalie who hasn’t stopped growing yet. However, it would be interesting to take a chance on Lehner.
I’d rather if the Islanders took a chance on that tall (6-7), but lanky, Finnish goalie named Mikko Koskinen.
I’d rather have the Islanders take a chance on the tall, Finnish
I like this kids attitude and definitely would not be upset if we took with a third round pick. Anybody have any video of him? I searched on YouTube and couldn’t find anything. Also, #2, do you have any video of Mikko Koskinen? I’d like to see some highlights of him as well,
damn!!!! yet to be the first one to post…. ohhhh so close…
we definately need goalies. for now go UFA and develop some guys in the minors.
A friend of a friend of a friend helps with DP’s rehab. Not going as good as it should. Sounds like he works hard, but refuses to rest it like he should.
I dont think he will ever be the same.
Thanks Milbury… We we ever trusted a Bruin spy after the fiasco of the Ranger spy (Maloney)
should add… At least Garth seems to be doing things right.
Go GARTH and JANKS!!!!
Gotta love the confidence and size. Poor rebound control worries me, it can be learned. Ricky is fantastic with his rebound control. This guy Lehner, Hackett, the big Finn there seem to be several quality goalies. I think the Isles may select more then one in this draft.
I agree with Botta the first 4 picks at least are on forwards and defense.
Dream draft might be something like:
Tavares C
Kassian RW
Kieder C/LW or Caron or Budish
Erixson D
Doughty D
Goalie or LW with next two picks
6′4 220 lbs…reminds me of Sean Burke.
if the kid can stop pucks, take him. i have heard alot about matt hackett and oliver roy as well.
Given the choice between large and small goalies with similar talent, I would always lean toward the big guy. BTW, these Swedes sure seem mature for that age.
I may be in the minority, but I’m hoping they don’t draft a goaltender until at least they get to the Pens pick in the 3rd round or later. This year is loaded with goalie depth, and it really is crapshoot. With Matt Hackett, Olivier Roy, Edward Pasquale, Mike Lee, Robin Lehner, and Mikko Koskinen, there’s no clear cut best. Im sure RJ and the scouting staff have done their homework, but I wouldn’t blame them if they took a second goalie with all those picks.
how do we pass up the swedish ricky?
Here’s an idea for ya Chris. Since these Swedish guys always answer the phone how ’bout an interview with Kenny Jonsson?
It could be a hybrid “so how ya doin?/wadda ya think of that Hedman kid?” piece.
I know I’d be riveted.
PLEASE!!! Do not waste a high draft pick on ANY goalie.
Wether this kid or the Finn or another goalie, the Isls need to draft one somewhere in the 2-3 range to develop. Goalies are like D-men and take a little while to ferment! I think having Poulin and another young guy in our system is smart. Not sure about Mannino. Any word on what the Isls think about him?
He looks like a great goaltender, and I wouldn’t be upset to grab him. If they wanted to wait until round 3 or 4 to get a goalie, Kieran Millan, fresh from backstopping BU to the national title, might still be on the board.
Either way, they shouldn’t burn a high draft pick on a goaltender, but more depth at the position is critical.
Im just impressed about how much these kids from Sweden know about the NHL. About the history of the Islanders and the rivalry between us and the Rags. I have no problem grabbing a goalie with our 5th pick or later. I know we need a lot of talented skaters, but i Rickys legs fall off we don’t have a lot of depth in net.
CB-
Who do you think should be DP’s backup I’m getting a little nervous. I still say Yann Denis but it would be nice. Also if we draft another goalie. We also need something in Bridgeport. I guess I’ll wait see what happens July 1.
Great interview! I agree that Sweden seems to be producing a lot of surprisingly mature-sounding players! That interview sounds like it is with a determined adult, not an overwhelmed kid- so good for him!
And I must say, I am happy to read that the team is satisfied so far with Kevin Poulins development. I have had a good feeling about him ever since the Isles drafted him.
CB, obviously a goaltender will be drafted at some point. I love these kid’s with attitude and the desire to play in the NHL! One major sports league where it’s just not about the money!!(although I know nobody is giving any back!)
More important, what exactly is going on with DP? His silence is deafening!!We have seen and heard nothing from him!! Is he working out? re-habbing?? Should we be starting to think his career is over? Any insight?
I am also enjoying what I read about D-man Dylan Olsen who could be available late first to early 2nd. Big, mean, and skilled they say.
Yep…Goaltending for the Islanders is the *other* 10,000lb. elephant in the room.
Go Isles!
isles have to take a goalie in the 2nd or 3rd round. it’s a must. we need a goalie that we can groom to be a starter. who knows what poulin and ridderwall turn out to be. it’s one of our biggest needs.
Warren, I read that Danis and Mac will not be back next season…I thought Danis might have earned a backup roll but I guess they didn’t think he faired that well especially towards the end of the season…
CB, are you saying Ridderwall has an uncertain future or that he is has been underwhelming? I was hoping he and Kevin “The WeedEater” Poulin were developing nicely. Your further comments would be appreciated.
With all the picks we have picking up a goaltender somewhere in the draft would make a lot of sense. Of course it goes by talent but also picking someone up that has a different set of skill style then DP. It seems that a lot of goaltenders are mid to late round picks so it has a lot of good scouting and a bit of luck too which is something we have not had in a while.
Are the Isles giving up on Nathan Lawson?? I thought he had a decent year. Played well and put up good numbers, but faltered in the playoffs. I know the Tigers had a TON of rosters moves and probably threw the chemistry of the team off , but Im sure he deserves another look.
How in the wold is DP gonna be ready for the start of the season if he was seen recently at a charity event not “walking with 100% comfort”??? Can someone please explain to me how the hell he is going to recover fully, rehab properly, train and get into game shape by the time early October rolls around???? Im pretty sure I read somewhere Garth said “we expect him to be 100 percent healthy by the start of the season.” Are they just giving us what we want to hear?? At this point im starting to think that DP just might be done for good!!
We need help across the board.
But there is no hurry for a goaltender.
Ricky will never play out his contract. We need a free agent goalie that can play half the games if not full time duty.
CB… not sure if you know the status of Ricky’s contract, but if he gets injured and can’t play anymore. Does it count against the cap.
If so… I can see this being a bad spot for the Isles in the future.
It would be the whole Yashin thing all over again.
As for Lehner, sure why not. 3rd round sounds good.
Especially if he is coming over to North America to play hockey. This will only help his progress.
Everyone seems to want to take a flier on the gargantuan Finn. Is this based solely on his 6′7″ frame or does he have some skill as well? Also Chris any way you can let us know where to find some information on Poulin? I was hoping he’d develop nicely when they drafted him last year. If I recall correctly he was originally pegged to go higher than the 5th round.
we could definately use a higher end goalie prospect in the system. Hopefully with one of those second rounders.
I like this kids attitude. Good interview.
Come on CB, what is the word on Ridderwall?
I wouldn’t mind drafting him, we do not have one reliable goalie right now.
too funny
So all these potential stars are conducting interviews with CB, and talking about the future, but what about DP?
Why doesn’t he come out and talk to the fans via this blog or other means?
I love ya DP. I think your an elite goalie who’s a major part of this franchise,…but your starting to freak us out. Please give us an update!!!
Sounds like a 1st class kid … very well versed in the Isles’ heritage also.
FWIW … a teammate of mine was from Sweden … he moved to the States in the 90s … but he’s an Islander fan from way back when. He knew in great detail many of the Isles’ triumphs and tribulations from the 70s through the 90s. He said lots of his peers were Isles fans in Sweden… Specifically huge fans of Anders Kallur and Stefan Persson… I’m not sure why … I know Kallur being with the Isles’ organization may be part of it … I’m not sure … I’m wondering if the Isles have a deep fan base in Sweden for some reason or another…. Anyone know?
Love his attitude!
maybe draft a goalie in the 3rd pick
No earlier please
sign Khabibulin and be done with it.
The Isles have too many holes to fill.I think they should draft the best player available with each of their picks.If a goalie slips and his talent exceeds his draft position when the Isles number is called then the Isles should jump.
I wouldn’t mind seeing the Isles take a flier on him or possibly another goalie with the 3rd round pick. I’d like to see them get a goalie with some size as well as skill like this kid or the top Finnish goalie prospect.
A late second round target. He sounds like there is potential there. After Tavares, everything else is gravy. Have at ‘er, Garth!
Let me echo Nick with a thought towards BU’s Kieran Millan (pronounced mil-LAN like the city), NCAA Freshman of the Year in 08-09 who went undrafted in ‘08 but is still draft eligible. Thought to be a 3rd-4th rd pick. 29-2-3, .921 Save, 1.94 GAA for the national champs. Stole the regional final vs. UNH
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmQ_2a6WPo0&feature=player_embedded
Hay CB, any word if the Isles try to sign Scott Clemenson after the good season he had filling in for Marty?
Also agree that the Isles need to spend the first two rounds on skaters. Would like to see some size and nastiness after the first pick. And looking at Hockey Futures, none of our Top 20 prospects is a goalie.
As far as the goalies, Lehner seems like a great pick, though I really dont have an opinion. Seemed to have heard good things about Oliver Roy, and seems like there are a bunch of teams interested in the Monster Mikko Koskinen. Though if we were to draft Matt Hackett, we could sign his dad to be goalie coach, as his schedule recently opened up.
Blah, no Khabibulin and no Clemmensen. I want someone whos under the age of 30 please.
Thanks for this Chris !
I like this kid or the 10 foot kid from Finland.
Doooooobie!!!!!
Irish Isle- Jeff is Matt’s uncle, and I would rather have Jeff as a goalie coach over Dunham. But I think Sudsie still has some influence over the goalies too. Jeff also works out already with Matt over the summer, so I guess if we did draft him it’ll be like also hiring another goalie coach for free
Yes, I agree Islanders need to take a goalie or 2 in this draft, but not until at least late second or early third. Maybe even another like in the 5th or 6th round. With everybody focused on the draft and the Lighthouse project, the health of DiPietro somehow has gone under the rug. That is the other big story for us this off season. As one of the previous bloggers wrote, his silence has been deafening. This really worries me. If DiPietro’s rehab was going well, we certainly wanted and would hear about this. Two main questions fans have before purchasing tickets to the season, are we drafting Tavares, and what is going on with DiPietro. Remember last off season before the draft, the Islanders held open forums with the fans at Coliseum, even throughout the summer? Notice how that has not happened this year with all of us wanting Tavares, the LIghthouse project issues and DiPietro’s health. CB: Is there any way to get an interview with DP or his rehab worker regarding progress? With the LIghthouse project moving in a positive direction, and us fans are already more than hyped about the draft, a change of pace regarding a DiPietro update would be a breath of fresh air. I hope it is good news. Whenever something goes right for this organziation, it takes at least one step backwards. What would happen to his 15 year contract if his career was over, and how would that affect the Islanders in the cap as I think we are still taking the hit on Yashin. Even if DP rehabs, will he reach the level that he is capable of. I always knew they should have kept Luongo. I was at the draft party back in 2000, and if anybody here remembers the fan that let out a big “NO” when they traded Luongo, it was me.
Why not just take him with the #1 pick? Heck, we did it before and look how well that turned out. All joking aside…
If this kid were to be available later I would grab him. You never know and he is a monster. We can just get Billy to come back and teach him how to HATCHET people as they round the back of our net. HAHHHAHAHAHA I LOVED when SMITTY used to do that! AHHH the GOOD OLD DAYS.
I might be nit-picking here, but aren’t those two picks 55 and 61. Why would we be picking second in any round? Were there compensatory picks handed out in the second or third rounds this year? Just a question not trying to be an idiot.
#28 - I believe that if Ricky cannot perform due to his state of health, the contract will then get picked up by insurance. It’s not that he’s holding out playing, so therefore the contract wouldn’t be void. There are stipulations in the contract where let’s take DiPietro’s case for example, contracts can be picked up by insurance. Even though you don’t see this all the time - it can happen. I wouldn’t be surpised if Khaubibulin becomes an Islander for a year or two. I don’t think Chicago is gonna take him back since they have cap issues.
Imagine if we still had Neil Smith in office, he wanted to give DP a three year contract. If anyone remembers, what was the reason why? Oh yea, because he hasn’t proved himself yet. Three years was a good start at that. This wouldn’t be a discussion if that man was still in office.
big dally mac (50) … Yeah there was a compensatory pick awarded this year to the Rangers due to Alexei Cherepanov’s death.
****
I believe regardless of DP’s condition that the Isles need to shore up their goaltending position organization wide. Mediocrity doesn’t go far to help a team steal wins. DP cannot be counted on to start 60 games … I think an Isles #1 goaltender will be a 45-50 game starter … so we need a 1A goalie … and I’m not certain the goalies in the system are in that catagory. So it will be up to Garth to get the 1A via FA while we develop from scratch a 1A that can get between the pipes in about 5 years.
Billy Jaffe#52…we would still be taling about it, because it was the owner’s decision…. not the GM’s.
Let’s just hope we get a few years out of DP… before we put him in an old age home…lol.
Hey CB… Do you think there is anyway to get Hedman and Kane or Magnus.
The #2 pick and the 4th or 5th pick.
We do have the#1,#26,#31,#37,#56,#62,#90,#92.
There has to be someway to parlay these picks into something big.
is there any way we could go after nabokov. The sharks are probably looking to change things up after choking in the playoffs again
Whats going on with Jase Weslosky? I heard he was playing well with St. Cloud State. Do you guys think he’ll get signed next year after his senior year or do you think he’ll be passed on?
good thing we got rid of that old man Osgood
Well Don’t Forget Jay, We Made Garth Snow a Starter That Year…
I’d hold out, and not use an early pick on a goalie. Wait to the 3rd or 4th round. As far as a backup/starter, what about someone like jocelyn thibault? hes a ufa who’s not in high demand, has experience, and can put up some good numbers if given the opportunity.
“Hey CB… Do you think there is anyway to get Hedman and Kane or Magnus.
The #2 pick and the 4th or 5th pick.
We do have the#1,#26,#31,#37,#56,#62,#90,#92.”
No, No, No!!!
We suffered through the worse regular. We have the Number 1 overall selection, and have the oppurtunity that 90% of the league wants. Lets keep the pick and draft JOHN TAVARES.
Ricky is walking in pain because he has hips and knees that were scoped and if you do research, the pain is permanent in 15-25% of cases. I am NOT a Rick fan in the least but I truly hope he retires for the sake of his quality of life. He rushed back from how many injuries, he rushed back from surgery, even did the minnesota clinic rapid healing nonsense (WITH MIKE SILLINGER!!!How’s that work out for both?) and he’s rushing back, allegedly, through this.
It’s GRAVELY important he relax. Hockey’s fun, a job, a passion…..but walking with your kids pain free and picking up your grand kids is far greater than this game. Like I said, I’m not a fan of Rick’s probably because of his propensity for doing the stupid things he does so often.
Someone call Rick’s dad and tell him to tell Rick to relax.
(and Mike Lee will be the best goalie in this draft. My hunch.)
For what its worth, today I actually saw Dipietro leaving a gym. He was wearing a knee brace, however he did not seem to be walking with much of a limp or with pain. Obviously walking and playing goaltender are two different things, but it appeared that he was able to work out and walk normally.
We put too much on a kid who had a nice paint job on his mask - I love DP (when he’s healthy) but I’ve also loved Salo (who had NO TEAM in from of him) and OSGOOD is a GOD in terms of Isle Goalies in the past 15 years - this is a tough situation when you sign a guy for 15 years - DP’s GOOD - but we need some1 else to help - I have faith they will find a puck-stopper to help DP in his latter years - worry about the rest of the team - the goal tending will take care of itself