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Sens rule out bringing back Leclaire
Lehner to spend more time in minors gaining experience
By
BRUCE GARRIOCH, QMI Agency
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RALEIGH, N.C. — Pascal Leclaire is officially finished with the Senators.
GM Bryan Murray confirmed Monday the injury-riddled Leclaire won’t be back next season and the club wants rookie Robin Lehner to play in Binghamton.
“We thought we had (a player) in Pascal who had the athletic ability to help this team,” said Murray. “Unfortunately, we had a guy for two years who got hurt more than we ever thought would happen.”
Murray said Lehner, 19, needs to develop.
“He hasn’t had any experience at the pro level to speak of,” said Murray. “I had a real good meeting with him last week. He has to go down and play and become what we think he’s going to become.
“But he’s not going to be at the top of his game in a year. It will take a couple of years for him to be the guy, but there’s nothing wrong with having him with an experienced guy and with a guy who seems to be open and willing to talk and work with him.”
The Senators haven’t decided whether they will bring back Curtis McElhinney.
“I really like the way he has played,” said Murray. “He’s looked good in the two games he’s played.”
