The Vegas Golden Knights have acquired goalie Robin Lehner from the Chicago Blackhawks in a three team deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Blackhawks get goalie Malcolm Subban, defenseman Slava Demin and a 2020 2nd round pick. The Maple Leafs get a 2020 5th round pick but also retain 50% of Lehner\’s contract (they take on $2.5 million). The Golden Knights received forward Martins Dzierkals as well.
Lehner is an NHL starting goalie, but will be a 1B to Marc-Andre Fleury in Vegas. A Vezina finalist last year, Lehner signed a one year deal with Chicago in the offseason. He has a good save percentage but a terrible goals against average this year. Fleury has started a lot of games recently, and the Golden Knights need to rest him for the playoffs while still hold their spot at the top of the division. The Blackhawks get a second rounder, a replacement backup goalie in Subban, plus a young defensive prospect in Demin who is at the University of Denver currently. The Maple Leafs essentially buy a 5th round pick from Vegas by retaining salary. They also trade away a low level prospect in Dzierkals who isn\’t playing in North America currently.
Lehner, 28, has a .918 SV% with a 3.01 GAA in 33 games for the Blackhawks this year. In his NHL career for the Blackhawks, New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators Lehner has a .918 SV% with a 2.73 GAA in 298 games.
Subban, 26, has a .890 SV% with a 3.18 GAA in 20 games for the Golden Knights this year. In his NHL career for Vegas and the Boston Bruins Subban has a .899 SV% with a 2.97 GAA in 65 games.
Demin, 19, has scored two goals with seven assists for nine points in 30 games for the University of Denver this year. For Denver last season, Demin scored four goals with 10 assists for 14 points in 41 games.
Dzierkals, 22, has scored three goals with seven assists for 10 points in 31 games for Jukurit Mikkeli of the Finnish League this year. He last played in North America in 2017-18, when he had no points in four games for the AHL\’s Toronto Marlies.
CarterHud 