Islanders: Robin Lehner Still Showing Support From Chicago

Even from afar, Robin Lehner is still showing the New York Islanders some love despite not being on the team anymore.

Robin Lehner will always be one of my favorite New York Islanders. From what he did on the ice last year, to his story off the ice he will be remembered fondly by Islanders fans and for good reason.

Before the season started last year, Lehner was very open and honest about his addictions and mental health issues. An athlete, in a sport where they are mostly robotic, was humanized and instantly became relatable to many.

He followed it up by going out and having the best year of his career. He finished with a .930 save percentage and a 2.13 goals against average. Lehner and Greiss combined for the Jennings Trophy and his play awarded him the Masterton Trophy where he gave one of the most moving speeches in award show history.

If you need a good cry, please watch the acceptance speech. It still gives me chills every time. “I’m not ashamed to say I’m mentally ill  but that doesn’t mean mentally weak”

After the season, the Islanders decided to go in a different direction, in one of the more confusing negotiations we’ve seen in recent memory. While I think Semyon Varlamov can give the Islanders similar production, I still would’ve liked to see Lehner return to the Islanders.

He signed a one-year deal with Chicago where he’s been just as good. He has a .935 save percentage and a 2.33 goals against average. No matter where he goes, I will always root for him to have success and I’m thrilled that he’s thriving with the Blackhawks.

Even though he’s with another organization, he’s still showing some love to the Islanders and his former running mate, Thomas Greiss. After another impressive Greiss win yesterday, Lehner jumped in on the action on Twitter.

God, how can you not love Robin Lehner? The guy is absolutely pure class and it’s easy to root for him to stay clean, dominate his mental health problems, and have success on the ice.

I miss Lehner, I think a lot of Islander fans do. His one year with the club had a bigger impact on the fans than players who have spent a lifetime here, and it’s all because of how relatable he is.

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Keep fighting the good fight Robin, we miss you on Long Island and you’ll always have us by your side.