Sources – Golden Knights will pay Robin Lehner with no cap hit

The Golden Knights will pay Robin Lehner for the final year of his $25 million contract, but the goaltender will not count against Vegas' salary cap, sources told ESPN.

The decision was made Thursday after lengthy discussions between the team, the NHL and the NHLPA. Lehner, 33, is owed $4.4 million this season to complete his five-year contract.

Lehner did not report for a mandatory training camp physical exam — which is required by the collective bargaining agreement for players on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) — but sources told ESPN that there was a specific reason the goaltender couldn't be in Las Vegas. what was known to the team as well as the league and the players' association. Given the delicate nature of Lehner's situation, league sources called it an “unprecedented and highly unique” case.

When contacted by ESPN, Lehner said he would not comment at this time.

Lehner last played an NHL game in April 2022. He underwent hip surgery that summer and then recovered away from the team.

The Swedish-born goalkeeper has been a vocal advocate for calls for greater understanding of mental health in recent years. Lehner has spoken about his experiences with bipolar disorder, ADHD and PTSD, which led to substance abuse.

In 2019, he won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication in ice hockey.

NHL teams must comply with the caps at the start of the regular season, which begins this week. Had this solution not been reached, the Golden Knights could have attempted to terminate Lehner's contract or they would have started the season again on LTIR.