The Vegas Golden Knights have finally resolved the situation surrounding injured goalie Robin Lehner’s contract. According to Sportsnet‘s Elliotte Friedman, the Golden Knights will pay Lehner’s salary for the 2024-25 season, but it won’t count against their cap.
Lehner has been out since August 2022 following hip surgery and is unlikely to play hockey again. He recently failed to attend a mandatory medical exam with Vegas, which put him in danger of getting his contract terminated. Lehner was entering the last year of his deal in 2024-25 and was set to earn $4.4 million in base salary.
However, instead of releasing Lehner with contract breach designation, the Golden Knights decided to go with a more sensible route following negotiations with the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association. Lehner will receive the full $4.4 million, but Vegas will avoid his $5 million cap hit and will be able to use the cap space to improve its roster.
Robin Lehner joined the Vegas Golden Knights midway through the 2019-20 season in a trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs. He played a total of 66 games with the franchise, going 39-21-4 with a 2.61 goal-against-average and a .910 save percentage.
Lehner previously also suited up for the Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders, and Chicago Blackhawks. He is a two-time William M. Jennings Trophy winner while also winning the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 2019.
