Date Published: December 15, 2024, 06:16h.
Last Updated on: December 15, 2024, 06:21h.
During the last NHL season, Robin Lehner, as a goaltender for the Vegas Golden Knights, had an impressive performance – 44 games started, 23 wins, 2.83 goals against average, and a .907 save percentage.
Significant Contract Extension in 2020
Lehner signed a five-year, $25 million contract extension with the Golden Knights in 2020. The team eventually won the Stanley Cup in 2023.
However, Lehner faced personal challenges. He publicly discussed his struggles with bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and addiction. Seeking help led to him winning the NHL’s Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 2019.
Financial Difficulties
Lehner was not part of the Stanley Cup-winning team and missed training camp in September. His bankruptcy filing in 2022, along with allegations of mismanaging funds, led to frozen assets by the federal bankruptcy court.
Spending Controversy
Reports indicated that Lehner and his wife were transferring money to non-creditors, raising concerns among creditors. There were claims of excessive spending on vacations, gambling, and luxury items following the bankruptcy filing in 2022.
This week, Lehner addressed the bankruptcy allegations and his communication with financial matters.
Lehner stated to the media, “I don’t need sympathy or anything; screw that. Bring up something that’s true and I can take it like a man. But everything is fake. No one has any idea what has happened to my family and my life after a lot of these things, and a lot of, obviously, people will see in the future what actually happened. But this is portraying me like I go AWOL and don’t answer anyone.”
Future Uncertainty
Lehner is reportedly in debt for $27.5 million and is unsure about his future in professional hockey. A salary agreement between the NHL Players’ Association and the NHL exempted his salary from the Golden Knights’ cap limit.