The Golden Knights have acquired goalie Robin Lehner from the Chicago Blackhawks according to multiple reports.
The return is still not confirmed but it is expected to be a 2nd round pick and a prospect. Malcolm Subban will be headed to Chicago as well. The prospect will be Slava Demin, VGK’s 5th round pick in 2018.
The deal was completed as part of a three-way trade.
VGK gets: Robin Lehner & Martins Dzierkals
CHI gets: Malcolm Subban & Slava Demin
TOR gets: VGK 5th round pick
This was done so that salary could be retained by both Chicago and Toronto allowing the trade to be completed keeping Vegas cap compliant.
Lehner finished 3rd in Vezina voting last season and has posted .918 save percentage this season in Chicago. He is an unrestricted free agent on July 1st (and has expressed a willingness to sign a large deal), but his cap hit for the remainder of the season is $5 million.
Lehner to Vegas.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 24, 2020
CHI gets a 2nd and a prospect in package for Robin Lehner. #SNTrade
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 24, 2020
Malcom Subban is involved in the trade with the Chicago Blackhawks. Great insurance I’m goal for the Vegas Golden Knights with two number 1 goalies charging into the playoffs.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 24, 2020
Slava Demin, VGK 4th rounder in 2018 who plays at University of Denver, is part of the Lehner trade, now heading to CHI.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) February 24, 2020
Goalies
This makes the Knights legit contenders for the Cup.
before this, NO. …. you cannot win a cup with subpar goaltending, and no matter how much some people want to pretend and ignore the obvious, the Knights goaltending was 24th in the league, and near the bottom third in most goalie stats and analytics.
They also give up the among the FEWEST high danger chances in the league, so THAT dog won’t hunt either.
Trades
Subban and Demin to Chicago Blackhawks
Walt
Wanted him last year, but this sounds like an excellent move today. Clear more cap space and sign the guy. 6 ft 4, 240 lbs, 28 years old, and Wild Bill will be happy. Thanks Suuubbbb.