According to Robin Lehner, his club Vegas Golden Knights knew that he would not show up for the mandatory medical examination.
This week, a special case from the NHL has been talked about, when the Vegas Golden Knights’ goalie Robin Lehner did not show up for his club’s mandatory health check-up.
Lehner, 33, has at his best been one of the NHL’s most hyped goaltenders. However, the Swedish goalkeeper has struggled with injuries and significant personal problems. He has opened up about his drug and alcohol addictions, as well as his struggles with bipolar disorder, ADHD, and the stress disorder PTSD.
Lehner has not played since spring 2022. He underwent hip surgery in August 2022.
When Lehner didn’t show up for a medical, the Golden Knights were reportedly considering options to get out of his contract. Now would be the final season of Lehner’s five-year, $25 million contract.
NHL reporter for Sportsnet Elliotte Friedman tells A brief statement by Lehner:
– I can say right now that everyone knows why I couldn’t show up. I’m calmly waiting for things to be sorted out.
Lehner has $4.4 million in salary available in the final year of his contract. According to Friedman, the fact that Lehner did not come to the mandatory medical examination could theoretically lead to the termination of the contract.
Friedman writes that “according to multiple sources, everyone involved knew Lehner would not be there.” The NHL, NHLPA and Vegas are looking for a solution to the situation.
GM of Vegas Kelly McCrimmon said that Lehner will not be seen in the team’s ranks in the starting season.
After his hip operation, Lehner has been on the Long Term Injured Reserve (LTIR). So now we will find out, among other things, whether he can be put on the LTIR list when he didn’t show up for the health check-up. Or will Vegas get rid of his salary entirely?
Players on the LTIR list do not burden their teams’ salary cap. Teams have to fit within the salary cap limits when the regular season starts, so Vegas should find solutions by then.
– He still can’t play. This situation involves unique factors that the NHL, the NHLPA and the club are going through. “We’re evaluating our next steps together, and when we have more to say, we will,” Vegas GM McCrimmon said.