Robin Lehner on his three-year contract

Sens goaltender Robin Lehner called in from Sweden to chat with Ottawa media after it was announced early Thursday morning that he had agreed to terms with the club on a three-year contract.

Here's what he had to say about his deal...

On the deal:

I'm very, very happy that it got done. It has been a long summer, I've been quite anxious to get it done and feel like a part of the team and the community again. I'm very happy.

On if he can concentrate on the season now:

Yeah, it's the final push here in the last month and a half to get ready. I've been in Ottawa for the whole summer and just went back (to Sweden) last week to say goodby and visit some family but I'm excited to come back and make a final push.

On where he has spent his summer:

I went back for about 10 days right after the season and I've been in Ottawa for the rest of the summer. I've been in Sweden now for four days and I'll start skating again on Monday.

On if he was hoping for a longer deal:

We quite honestly spent a long time this summer trying to get a long term deal done. It turned into a three-year deal which I'm very happy with too. I think it's just, from both sides, they wanted me in Ottawa and I've tried to make my point that Ottawa is the place I want to be but, of course, I've got to deserve to be there a long time and that's what my goal is. You never know what the future holds.

On if he has to prove himself:

Yeah, 100 per cent. I have a lot left to prove. I think I've shown I'm capable, I think I've shown strength but I think I've shown flaws too. I think every year I've improved in some areas and I still have lots of improving to go.

On pushing for more playing time:

Well everyone wants to play, the guy that says he doesn't will be lying to you. I think if I can develop more and get better we have a strong tandem. I'm not in a place where I think I should play every game even if it goes really well, I think we have a strong tandem and I think we have a good team going forward. I'll just be happy with competing every day and getting a chance to get a fair battle.

On his relationship with Craig Anderson:

I have lots of respect for him, he's a veteran in the League and he's a really good goalie. I'm just looking for it to be healthy like in the end of the season we were both kind of figuring it out there and unfortunately it wasn't enough. That's the way it should be. I think since I came over to North America I've had healthy competition the whole way and not having any competition doesn't really benefit you in any way. I'm just trying to do my best and if the coach wants to play me he'll play me and if he doesn't I'll keep going.

On if he feels ready to be the top goalie:

We're talking future and it's a little irrelevant. As I said, I just want to keep proving myself, keep getting better and what happens happens. I don't know what will happen in a few months or a few years, the only thing I know is I've tried my best so far and I've done everything I can for the organization to prove to them and they've rewarded me with a very good contract I think. I think I've got a lot to show that I deserve it too. I think it's good for both sides.