Goaltender Robin Lehner could reportedly jump from RFA to UFA before free agency opens.
The Buffalo Sabres aren't expected to offer the pending restricted free agent a qualifying offer as July 1 nears, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie, leaving the club with a gaping hole between the pipes.
If Lehner leaves, Buffalo will be without an NHL goalie - although Linus Ullmark is expected to graduate from the AHL this fall. Chad Johnson, Lehner's backup this past season, is a UFA.
Lehner, who has split his NHL career between the Ottawa Senators and Sabres, has a save percentage of .915 through 219 games. He would join an underwhelming UFA goalie class headlined by Jaroslav Halak, Cam Ward, Kari Lehtonen, Jonathan Bernier, and Carter Hutton.