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Former NY Islanders goaltender Robin Lehner deemed 'unfit' to play this season

For the third season in a row, we won't see Robin Lehner suiting up between the pipes

By Michael Stahurski |
Apr 6, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner (90) leaves the ice after the Golden Knights were defeated by the Vancouver Canucks 5-1 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Apr 6, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner (90) leaves the ice after the Golden Knights were defeated by the Vancouver Canucks 5-1 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Life in the NHL hasn't been all it's cracked up to be for Robin Lehner since entering the NHL with the Ottawa Senators during the 2010-11 season.

The Swedish netminder has played for five teams during his career, spending one season on Long Island with the NY Islanders.

Lehner signed a 5-year, $5M AAV contract with the Vegas Golden Knights shortly after being traded to the desert from the Chicago Blackhawks in 2020. But since that time, Lehner has missed more games than he's played in.

Lehner last played an NHL game on April 20, 2022. In the summer of 2022, Lehner underwent hip surgery, missing the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.

Another season without Robin Lehner

As training camps across the league began this week, Lehner was absent from the Knights' mandatory pre-camp physical. According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, all players are required to take their pre-camp physical to be eligible for LTIR. Not doing so may result in a forfeiture of their contract.

“[Robin] will not be reporting to the club this year,” Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon said. “He continues to be unfit to play. There are unique circumstances surrounding this situation that the NHL, the NHLPA and [Vegas] are working through. Collectively, we are assessing our next steps, and when we have more to say, we will.”

It's unsure why Lehner is considered 'unfit,' but the former Islander briefly commented on the situation.

“All I can say at this time is everyone knows why I couldn’t be there," Lehner said. "I am waiting calmly for things to be sorted out.”

Lehner has struggled with his mental health and alcohol throughout his career, but his one season on Long Island seemed to be the breakthrough he needed to control the demons he'd been battling.

Though his time with the Islanders was short, it played a major factor in Lehner's life along with the fanbase. Shortly after leaving the Islanders Lehner revealed a tattoo on his neck of Long Island, pointing to it after his first game back against the Islanders.

Whatever it is Lehner is dealing with, we all hope he perseveres and comes out stronger once again.

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