The Vegas Golden Knights won’t have goaltender Robin Lehner available this season as he is unfit to play, general manager Kelly McCrimmon said Thursday.
Lehner did not report a mandatory pre-season medical exam ahead of training camp, McCrimmon confirmed.
The 33-year-old hasn’t played in two seasons since having hip surgery. Lehner signed a five-year, $25-million contract with Vegas in 2020 and is set to enter the final year of that deal in 2024-25.
McCrimmon said the Golden Knights are in contact with the NHL and NHLPA over the next steps.
“There are unique circumstances surrounding this situation, that the NHL and NHLPA are working through,” McCrimmon told reporters. “Collectively, we are assessing our next steps.”
DailyFaceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported and Sportsnet confirmed that the Golden Knights were considering options regarding Lehner’s contract, including termination. Lehner is owed $4.5 million this season.
According to the league’s collective bargaining agreement, long-term injured players, including those that have been on the LTIR multiple seasons, have to undergo a medical exam at the start of every season to confirm they’re not medically cleared to play.
Lehner is a 12-year NHL veteran who has twice won the Williams Jennings Trophy for being on the team that allowed the fewest goals in a season. In 2021-22, he had a 23-17-2 record with a .907 save percentage.
