Based on Frank Seravalli of The Every day Faceoff, the Vegas Golden Knights is perhaps contemplating terminating Robin Lehner‘s contract after the goaltender didn’t attend a compulsory pre-season medical examination. Sources instructed Every day Faceoff that Lehner, 33, didn’t present up for his examination on Wednesday and the Golden Knights would possibly discover choices with the league relating to their cope with the netminder.
Lehner has been sidelined since April 2022 because of harm and was set to overlook a 3rd consecutive season following hip surgical procedure in August 2022. The article factors out that even when Lehner wasn’t more likely to play this season, he was nonetheless required to point out up for the examination. His absence might jeopardize his last yr underneath a five-year, $25 million contract, which features a $4.5 million wage for 2024-25.
The NHL requires injured gamers to endure a medical examination every season to substantiate their unfit-to-play standing, permitting groups to position them on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) and search wage cap reduction. In different phrases, all Lehner needed to do was present up, basically fail the check, and be positioned on LTIR. Now, due to Lehner’s failure to look, it could lead the Golden Knights to terminate his contract. That isn’t a assure, nevertheless, as it’s believed the NHLPA would battle towards such a transfer.
If the Golden Knights pursue this and are profitable, they may save $4.5 million by not paying Lehner’s wage and a $5 million cap hit, which might maintain them out of LTIR to begin the yr.
This Lehner Determination Gained’t Go Unchallenged
Seravalli suggests the NHLPA is anticipated to problem any try and terminate Lehner’s contract, because it might set a precedent that threatens the assured pay rights of injured gamers. It actually seems he tousled and it’s not being contested that he ought to have proven. Nonetheless, the gamers affiliation gained’t let it go and not using a battle.
Lehner, a former Invoice Masterton Trophy winner for his perseverance and dedication, has been a vocal advocate for psychological well being, brazenly discussing his battles with bipolar dysfunction and habit, which led him to hunt assist by means of the NHL/NHLPA Participant Help Program. It might be that his absence may be defined, however nobody has commented publicly on the state of affairs.
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