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The Vegas Golden Knights, a team that was undermined by injuries last season, will start the 2022-23 season with a critical player gone for the season.
The team announced on Twitter that goalie Robin Lehner will miss all of next season because of hip surgery. The Golden Knights offered no details on the injury.
"An exact timeline of his recovery is to be determined," the Twitter post read.
The timing couldn't be much worse. Training camp starts in just over a month. Most teams have their rosters set. The injury leaves Vegas currently with a 2022-23 goaltending duo of Logan Thompson (20 NHL career games) and Laurent Brossoit (106 NHL games).
The Golden Knights were impressed with how Thompson stepped in last season and posted a 10-5-3 record with a .914 save percentage. They could be tempted to put Thompson in the driver's seat and see how he does. Brossoit was 10-9-3, but is coming off offseason hip surgery. They do have Michael Hutchinson (137 NHL games) under contract as an insurance policy.
Undoubtedly, the Golden Knights will look at their trade options. But there is no perfect fix available. Here are some ideas the Golden Knights could kick around:
San Jose Sharks' James Reimer: The Sharks want to move a goalie. This could be the Golden Knights' best option, because they might be able to make it happen. Reimer (433 NHL games) seems like a reasonable temporary solution. Thompson and Reimer seems more enticing than Thompson and Brossoit.
Montreal Canadiens' Jake Allen: The Canadians have shown no inclination to trade him, but Montreal Hockey Now reported teams have called about Allen. No one would expect the Habs to do anything with Allen until they know what's up with Carey Price for 2022-23.
New York Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: The Russian goalie has a modified no-trade clause. But reports say Vegas is not on his veto-list. But GM Lou Lamoriello likes his goaltending tandem of Ilya Sorokin and Varlamov. He seems unwilling to move Varlamov, although he probably would change his mind if the Islanders are not in the hunt at the trade deadline.
Columbus Blue Jackets' Joonas Korpisalo: Seems like this is just another roll of the dice. Over the past two seasons, Korpisalo's goals-against averages have been 3.30 and 4.15. His save percentages were .894 and .873.
New Jersey Devils' MacKenzie Blackwood: GM Tom Fitzgerald says he's comfortable with a Vitek Vanecek and Blackwood tandem. But you still call the Devils just in case.
The Golden Knights will make some calls, but Reimer may be the only goalie on this list who is actually available.
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