Report: Senators looking to trade Anderson or Lehner prior to NHL Draft

The Ottawa Senators are looking to make a splash in advance of the NHL Draft.

With both Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner being floated as potential trade bait, general manager Bryan Murray is attempting to narrow down the teams seriously interested in either goalie, with a view to making a deal prior to June 26, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.

Garrioch continues:

League sources say the asking price is simple: A top-six forward and a pick ... It's believed six or seven teams (including the Buffalo Sabres, Edmonton Oilers, and Calgary Flames) have called Murray to show interest in 23-year-old Lehner, while the St. Louis Blues and San Jose Sharks are both looking for immediate help and are sniffing around to see what it would take to get the 34-year-old Anderson.

The Senators appear to believe they can get a bigger return for Lehner, who's considerably younger and theoretically possesses more upside. Complicating the issue, however, is his inability to set himself apart as a number one option up to this point in his career, with this past season derailed by a concussion.

Lehner does, however, have the look of a potential top-tier goalie, and could be the kind of player a young team looks to build around.

Anderson, on the other hand, has proven himself to be a reliable starter, and posted a gaudy .972 save percentage in four playoff games, making him seemingly more attractive to teams with Stanley Cup aspirations.

What's clear at this point is one of Anderson or Lehner will be moved, especially with Andrew Hammond locked up for three more seasons and Matt O'Connor looking to prove his worth at the AHL level.

Who goes where and for what return, however, remains anyone's guess.