On Thursday, Robin Lehner got more bad news as a federal bankruptcy judge froze his assets. The injunction is another setback for the Vegas Golden Knights goaltender, who didn't report for his physical exam earlier in the month. This left Kelly McCrimmon and the company scrambling for answers from the NHL on its next move. The latest news is another wrinkle in the ongoing bankruptcy case involving the Vegas Golden Knights netminder.
The Aliya Growth Fund was one of several creditors concerned they wouldn't get their money back from Lehner. The ruling also stated he spent $1.5 million on gambling, vacations, and luxury purchases 15 months after he filed for bankruptcy. They also claim the goaltender deceived them for money to the tune of $4.8 million six weeks before the bankruptcy filing. The former New York Islanders goalie and his wife, Donya, will only have access to $25,000 per month for living expenses and legal fees.
So how did he get here? The Golden Knights netminder and his wife initially filed for bankruptcy in December 2022, stating that they owed $20 million to creditors. These included missed payments for rare snakes purchased for his farm in Plato, Missouri, at a value of $1.2 million. The latest news provided a bleak outlook on his future, where he would be tangled up in bankruptcy litigation.
What's next for Robin Lehner in his Vegas Golden Knights journey?
As it stands, nothing is known about his future whereabouts in his hockey career. Robin Lehner is in the last year of his current five-year, $25 million contract with the Vegas Golden Knights. After missing his physical exam with the team, it appears he won't step onto the ice again, where his current situation takes center stage.
Kelly McCrimmon isn't likely to retain his services when his contract expires next summer. The Golden Knights have many options regarding the goaltender position, including Akira Schmid, Carl Lindbom, and Pavel Moysevich. The future should have stacked options, giving them a leg up on the competition.
As for Lehner? This will be another setback for the controversial goaltender, who's dealt with various problems in his playing career. These include mental health bouts going with his current bankruptcy case. It's likely the Golden Knights netminder won't play another minute in the NHL once McCrimmon and company move on from his current deal.
Overall, the latest news is another unfortunate chapter in the goaltender's career. He was a promising figure and the heir apparent to Marc-Andre Fleury's starting goaltender position, giving Vegas a stable option. He had great seasons with the New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators, building up his career as the de facto starter. Now, the team's moved on to Adin Hill (for now), leaving Lehner in the background. Whether he rebounds from his current situation remains to be seen. But it doesn't bode well for his future as an NHL netminder.