Golden Knights' Robin Lehner: Absent for medical test
Rotowire
Lehner (hip) was not at training camp Wednesday to undergo a yearly mandatory medical test, per RDS.ca.
To qualify for long-term injured reserve -- which Lehner has been on for each of the last two years -- a player must be checked and proven medically unfit to play. Lehner's absence from the Golden Knights' first day of camp has led to the team potentially pursuing a contract termination, which would get them fully out from under his $5 million cap hit. While this situation will have salary cap implications for the Golden Knights and could also impact the NHLPA's relations with the league, it doesn't change the fact that Lehner has likely played his last NHL game and won't suit up in 2024-25 while in the last year of his contract.
Golden Knights' Robin Lehner: Will begin year on LTIR
Rotowire
Lehner (hip) will begin the 2023-24 campaign on long-term injured reserve, Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon told Ben Gotz of the Las Vegas Review-Journal on Thursday.
Lehner didn't play at all in 2022-23 because of his hip injury. Adin Hill and Logan Thompson are projected to enter the season as Vegas' top two goaltenders, but if Lehner's able to return during 2023-24, then he'll be in the mix for starts, too.
... See More... See Less
Golden Knights' Robin Lehner: Not on training camp roster
Rotowire
Lehner (hip) is not listed on the Golden Knights' training camp roster.
Lehner's absence from the camp roster doesn't bode well for his availability at the start of 2023-24. The 32-year-old goalie missed all of last season while recovering from hip surgery, and in his absence, Logan Thompson and Adin Hill emerged as viable goalies for the defending Stanley Cup champions. As such, Lehner will not be rushed back this year, and given the length of his recovery, it's fair to question if he'll ever get back into an NHL game.
Golden Knights' Robin Lehner: Won't play this season
Rotowire
Lehner will miss the entirety of the 2022-23 season due to pending hip surgery, the team announced Thursday.
Lehner was already in doubt for the start of training camp after having offseason shoulder surgery, but clearly the netminder is dealing with a more significant injury. With Lehner sidelined, the Knights will have to turn to either career-backup Laurent Brossoit, who is dealing with an undisclosed injury of his own, or up-and-comer Logan Thompson. While not yet official, Lehner will no doubt be placed on long-term injured reserve when the season starts to give Vegas some cap flexibility.
Golden Knights' Robin Lehner: At risk of missing training camp
Rotowire
Lehner's (shoulder) timeline to be ready for the start of the 2022-23 season is "tight," Jesse Granger of The Athletic reports.
Lehner underwent shoulder surgery in May, and it's possible his recovery wipes out his participation in some or all of training camp. The Golden Knights have let him rehab his injury individually, though general manager Kelly McCrimmon anticipates the goalie will return to Vegas soon. His status for the start of the regular season will likely be determined later in the summer.
... See More... See Less
Golden Knights' Robin Lehner: No timetable for return
Rotowire
Lehner will undergo shoulder surgery Wednesday and a timeline for his return is not yet clear, David Schoen of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.
Lehner missed 18 of the final 24 games of the season while dealing with various injuries. The 30-year-old netminder will have a full offseason to recover but a more specific return timeline won't be available until later. He went 23-17-2 with a .907 save percentage this season.
... See More... See Less
Golden Knights' Robin Lehner: Set for shoulder surgery
Rotowire
Lehner will undergo shoulder surgery and miss the rest of the season.
It was earlier reported -- and later refuted -- that Lehner would have season-ending knee surgery. As it turns out, the 30-year-old netminder will actually have surgery on his shoulder after he was originally injured Feb. 9 against Calgary. He finishes the season 23-17-2 with a 2.83 GAA and a .907 save percentage. Lehner should be ready for the start of next season's training camp, but more information on his status should be available after the procedure. In his absence, Logan Thompson and Jiri Patera are expected to handle the last three games of the regular season.
... See More... See Less
Golden Knights' Robin Lehner: Expected to suit up Sunday
Rotowire
Coach Pete DeBoer expects Lehner (knee) to dress as the backup Sunday against the Sharks, Ben Gotz of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.
Logan Thompson will get the starting nod, but Lehner's evidently healthy enough to keep playing. Barring another update, Lehner should be dressed against San Jose, which would refute previous reports that he could miss the remainder of the season.
... See More... See Less
Golden Knights' Robin Lehner: May not be done for season
Rotowire
When asked about a report that stated Lehner is set to undergo season-ending knee surgery, coach Pete DeBoer said "Not to my knowledge. It was a maintenance day today. I expect him at practice tomorrow. I expect him dressed on Sunday," Ben Gotz of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.
This is definitely an odd situation, as several credible reporters came out with the news that Lehner would be done for the year only for DeBoer to refute those claims an hour later. For now, fantasy managers can tentatively expect Lehner to be available for Sunday's game against San Jose, but this is definitely a situation worth monitoring.
