The Vegas Golden Knights re-signed Robin Lehner on Saturday to a $25 million, five-year agreement that makes him their goaltender of the present and future.
Lehners deal brings a $5 million annual salary cap hit and runs through the 2024-25 season. Devoting to Lehner makes it most likely Vegas will at some point proceed from face of the franchise Marc-Andre Fleury, who took the group to the Stanley Cup Final in 2018 in its inaugural season.
Coach Peter DeBoer made clear his preference for Lehner when the NHL returned for an expanded playoffs. While he stated he d utilize both goalies, he began Lehner in 16 of the Golden Knights 20 postseason video games.
DeBoer choosing Lehner led Fleurys agent, Allan Walsh, to tweet an illustration during the 2nd round of his client with a sword including the coachs name through his back. It was erased the next day, and Fleury stated he and Lehner have a great relationship.
Lehner went 9-7 with a 1.99 goals-against average and.917 save portion as Vegas reached the Western Conference last before losing to the Dallas Stars. Fleury was 3-1 with a 2.27 and.910.
The long-lasting agreement implies some security for Lehner, who bet four teams over the past three seasons. When word of this contract being consented to came out, the 30-year-old Swede stated during the playoffs it wasnt settled but he was comfy with Vegas as soon as he got here after a trade at the due date in February.
” I felt it immediately when I came here: This team is all about simply winning and you deserve what you get,” Lehner said last month. “Thats, I think, what winning teams do, and it hasnt constantly held true, so its revitalizing when I got here and I felt that vibe which culture around here. I had to work hard.”
Lehner won the Masterton Trophy last year for determination, devotion and sportsmanship to hockey after detailing his battles with dependency and mental health issues. Despite assisting the New York Islanders get to the 2nd round in 2019, he went to free agency and signed a $5 million, 1 year handle Chicago, which later on turned him to Vegas.
He will not be bouncing around for the next bit, though Fleurys status is a major enigma. Fleury, who will be 36 by the time next NHL season begins, has 2 years left on his agreement at a $7 million cap hit with a 10-team no-trade stipulation.
Fleury is a three-time Stanley Cup winner with Pittsburgh, which also Saturday re-signed All-Star Tristan Jarry to a $10.5 million, three-year agreement. Matt Murray, who Fleury coordinated with to win it in 2016 and 2017, deals with an unpredictable future like his former colleague.
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Vegas Golden Knights re-sign goalie Robin Lehner to five-year, $25M deal – ESPN
