Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner’s contract may be in trouble. After being placed on long-term injured reserve in 2022, the Swedish goaltender will not attend training camp or, as for now, will not play in the 2024-2025 NHL season. Many speculate this may end the thirty-three-year-old’s professional hockey career.
Goaltender Robin Lehner ‘Unfit to Play’
Lehner’s status with the team was addressed during a press conference held by the Vegas Golden Knights’s General Manager before training camp opened. He is in the last year of his five-year contract with the Golden Knights. After undergoing hip surgery in 2022, he has been placed on the long-term injured reserve list (LTIR). With another year flown by, the goaltender is reportedly still not up to playable standards.
To add to the chaos, Robin Lehner failed to report to the medical exam required to remain on LTIR. During the address, the VGK General Manager stated: “He continues to be unfit to play. There are unique circumstances surrounding the situation that the NHL, the NHLPA, and the club are currently working through. Collectively, we are assessing our next steps and when we have more to say, we will. There’ll be nothing further until then.”
Goaltender’s Time With The VGK
Robin Lehner was traded to the Golden Knights by the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for the Knights’ 5th-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, on February 24, 2020. Many correlate this transaction to the loss of four-time All-Star goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury to the Chicago Blackhawks. A highly controversial move, yet Lehner performed well with the Las Vegas Golden Knights until his injury. In his full first season with the Knights, Lehner’s save percentage was .913.
The mystery shrouding the details of Lehner’s injury and player status has not gone unnoticed throughout the years. Whether his prior alcoholism, injuries or mental health issues contribute to the actions of today, remains unknown due to the ambiguity from the VGK management team. The Vegas Golden Knights have received ridicule due to the longevity of management’s use of the LTIR list. However, it is now clear the Golden Knights have a momentous decision to make regarding the contract of goaltender Robin Lehner.
Lehner’s Contract Potentially Over
Debatably one of the most notable players during his prime seasons, Lehner’s professional ice hockey career may unfortunately be over. With a history of injury, mental health issues, and alcoholism, it seems that the VGK goaltender is still facing the consequences of unfortunate situations. Due to his absence in the medical examination for LTIR, General Manager Kelly McCrimmon and associates, have a big decision to make.
This is also a prime example for a number of young Ice Hockey prospects on how to conduct their careers in the future. What to do and what not to do during your 10-15 years of playing time is something the upcoming talents must be aware of and learn from.
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