Golden Knights face decisions after Lehner"s absence in Vegas

Robin Lehner, a goalie for the Vegas Golden Knights, has failed to report to the team, prompting management to evaluate their options regarding his future. Lehner has not played in over two years due to a hip injury that required surgery in August 2022, leading to his placement on long-term injured reserve (LTIR). The club has remained tight-lipped about his status, with little indication of a potential return this season. To maintain his LTIR status, Lehner was required to undergo a medical checkup, which allows the team to keep his salary off the salary cap while ensuring he receives his pay. Currently, he is in the final year of his contract, with a salary of $4.4 million. If he continues to be absent and the team decides to terminate his contract, his $5 million cap hit would be removed from the books. General manager Kelly McCrimmon stated that Lehner is still unfit to play and mentioned that there are unique circumstances surrounding the situation that the NHL, NHL Players Association, and the club are addressing. The management is collectively assessing their next steps, but no further information is available at this time. Lehner's situation is complicated by personal financial issues, as he and his wife filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy two years ago, owing over $27 million to creditors. This financial strain adds another layer of complexity to his absence and the decisions facing the Golden Knights regarding their roster and salary cap management.