The NHL preseason is kicking off this weekend, but the Vegas Golden Knights are dealing with an unexpected situation involving one of their key players, Robin Lehner.
According to OutKick, Lehner, who hasn’t played in over two years due to injury, didn’t show up for his mandatory medical exam — a move that could cost him big.
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Lehner, once a Vezina Trophy finalist and Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy winner with the New York Islanders, has been on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) since 2022. He’s been recovering from hip surgery, missing both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. In his absence, other goalies like Adin Hill and Logan Thompson helped carry the Golden Knights to a Stanley Cup victory in 2023.
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However, things took a strange turn this week when Lehner didn’t attend his required physical. As reported by OutKick and Daily Faceoff, all injured players are required to undergo a physical to confirm their inability to compete. By skipping the exam, Lehner now risks having his contract terminated, which would be a major financial hit for him. He stands to lose $4.5 million in salary from what would have been the final year of his five-year, $25 million deal.
For Vegas, though, this strange situation could actually provide a financial break. Lehner’s absence could free up $5 million in cap space, which is huge for a team that’s often flirting with the salary cap ceiling. This newfound flexibility could allow the Golden Knights to make a splash at the trade deadline — something the franchise is no stranger to.
It’s an odd twist, but if Lehner’s contract is terminated, it could end up being a win-win for the team. As for Lehner, his future in the NHL remains uncertain.
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