Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Sens Robin Lehner Buys Alfie's House - but gets the short end of the stick.

10/02/2013 at 8:04pm EDT

One of the things Daniel Aflredsson famously did during his time in Ottawa was regularly play host to the Senators' Swedish prospects at his family's Kanata home whenever they were splitting their time between the big club and the farm team in Binghamton, NY.

It looks like at least one of them got attached - and the home will be 'staying in the family,' so to speak.

"I'm not going to go into details," Lehner told the Sun when asked the purchase price after Tuesday's practice. "But it was good for all parties."

Alfredsson was looking to sell his Kanata estate when he signed in the summer with the Detroit Red Wings and brought his wife and four boys to Motown with him. Coincidentally, Lehner, 22, happened to be the market for the first time in his life. Since turning pro, Lehner has mostly bounced back and forth between Binghamton and Ottawa.

"It's very nice," Lehner said of the house, which he says has one master bedroom and "a few kids rooms."

Full Story (Ottawa Sun)

Sens fans may still be smarting from Alfie's departure, but they may be able to find some solace in the fact that the City's newest homeowner - already a fan favourite, despite the fact that this is expected to be his first full NHL season - is planning to stay long term.

"It's something I can grow into," he said. "My biggest dream right now is to stay in this organization and play hockey here for my whole career. This is a good first step for me, to start getting the mindset that this is the place to be. Ottawa is the town I want to have as my new home."

Lehner may be standing a little taller on the property ladder, but at his home away from home he was dealing with a slightly shorter stick on the Canadian Tire Centre ice. After 5 seasons using a 28 inch twig, the NHL has mandated that Lehner has to switch to a 26 inch version.

“I’ve got to bend my back now, I’ve got to bend my legs more, I’ve got to change my posture and all that kind of stuff,” Lehner said following Senators practice Wednesday. “I can understand (reducing the size of) equipment, but to touch the stick … it’s like telling a player that has been shooting with their stick for their whole life … (to) take his stick and cut if off three or four inches and expect him to get his shot every time. It’s the same for us, except we’re not shooting. We just have to get comfortable in our stance. It’s tough. This is the toughest (change) for me.”

Any goaltender who is 6-6 or taller is allowed to use a 28-inch stick. Lehner, however, is 6-5, meaning he is required to use the same length of stick as a 5-11 goaltender.

Full Story (Ottawa Citizen Senators Extra)

Looks like Lehner will have to literally bow down to the NHL on this one - but it seems like a somewhat arbitrary rule. Too bad being the king of your former captain's castle only makes you feel taller.

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About Kukla's Korner Hockey

Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

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