Robin Lehner's latest action could benefit the Colorado Avalanche

The Vegas Golden Knights are reviewing their options with Lehner, which may be including contract termination. Robin Lehner failed to attend training camp for a mandatory pre-season medical exam required to confirm his ineligibility to play. The Golden Knights have consulted with the NHL on the issue, and have been in touch with the NHL Players' Association regarding proper contractual treatment in light of a situation which includes unique circumstances.

Lehner, 33, has not played in the NHL since April 20, 2022 and was expected to miss his third consecutive full season due to injury this year after undergoing hip surgery in Aug. 2022. He was set to enter the final year of his five-year, $25 million contract, with a $4.5 million salary owed for 2024-25.

The NHL-NHLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement stipulates that injured players, even those who have been on LTIR for multiple seasons, must undergo a medical exam at the start of every season they are under contract that confirms they are unfit to play. The player can then be placed on the long-term injury list at the team's discretion and seek cap relief, if required.

The Avalanche are in need of depth at the goaoltender position, but have a difficult cap situation and need to be creative with ways they hand out contracts. With Lehner's injury history as well as apparent current injury, they would not offer him a professional tryout (PTO). They'd have to offer him at least a one-year contract, maybe with an option for a second.

General Manager Chris MacFarland has shown a propensity to make a deal if it's an advantageous situation for the Avalanche, which signing Lehner, pending a clean bill of health, would be, based on there lack of depth in the crease. Colorado has struggled to find consistent goaltending and if Lehner can come back to previous form it would be well worth the risk.