Robin Lehner recently skipped a required preseason physical for training camp.
“All I can say right now is that everyone knows why I couldn’t be there. I am waiting calmly for things to be sorted out,” Lehner stated. Frank Seravalli mentioned the team is exploring various ways to handle Lehner’s situation. Players who miss their physicals might face contract termination, which Vegas is considering.
Lehner hasn’t played since April 20, 2022, due to hip surgery in August 2022. His five-year contract ends after the 2024-25 season with an AAV of $5 million and a base salary of $4.4 million this season. Seravalli added that many expected Lehner wouldn’t show up for his physical, and now the NHL, NHLPA, and Vegas are working on a solution .
Lehner’s Career Journey:
Drafted by Ottawa in 2009, Lehner played parts of 12 NHL seasons. After being traded to Buffalo in June 2015, he faced mental health challenges but sought help and found new life with the Islanders in July 2018. With Thomas Greiss, he won the Jennings Trophy and helped push the Islanders to the second round of playoffs while also winning the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.
Fans might wonder how this will affect Vegas moving forward.
In July 2019, Lehner signed with Chicago but was later traded to Toronto and then Vegas on February 24, 2020. His performance helped Vegas reach the semifinals in both 2020 and 2021 but they fell short each time. He won another Jennings Trophy in 2021.
In his career spanning over 364 NHL games, Lehner has a record of 152-141-49 with a goals-against average (GAA) of 2.71 and a .917 save percentage along with 17 shutouts. In playoffs, he’s got a record of 14-14 with a GAA of 2.19 and four shutouts.
What do you think about all this?
