Sabres parting ways with goalie Lehner

The Sabres are moving on from Robin Lehner after the goalie failed to establish himself as a starter during three seasons, capped by Buffalo’s last-place finish this past year.

General manager Jason Botterill announced Friday the Sabres will not extend Lehner a one-year qualifying offer of about $4 million to retain his rights as a restricted free agent. The decision means Lehner will become free to sign with any team once the NHL’s free agency period opens on July 1.

“It’s a scenario where you finish 31st you have to make some difficult choices,” Botterill told reporters in Dallas, hours before the Sabres were scheduled to open the NHL draft with the No. 1 pick.

“Part of it that was so disappointing and difficult about it is that I know Robin is passionate about the city of Buffalo, and passionate about helping this organization,” he said. “We felt like we

had to make some adjustments.”

The move comes nearly three years to the day Botterill’s predecessor, Tim Murray, gave up a firstround draft pick to acquire Lehner and journeyman forward David Legwand in a trade with Ottawa.

Lehner’s tenure in Buffalo was plagued by injuries and inconsistency. He missed the first half of his first season in Buffalo after spraining his right ankle in the Sabres opening game.