The NHL and the NHL Players’ Association have reached a settlement over Robin Lehner’s contract situation, under which the Vegas Golden Knights will pay the injured goaltender his remaining salary this season without wearing his cap, multiple sources briefed on the agreement Thursday was confirmed.

The settlement was first reported by Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli.

Lehner has not played for the Golden Knights since undergoing hip surgery in August 2022 and is entering the final season of a five-year, $25 million contract. He violated the terms of his standard player’s contract by failing to report for a mandatory medical examination by team doctors last month. This put the Golden Knights in a favorable position to potentially terminate his deal on violation grounds, according to league sources.

At the start of training camp in Vegas, general manager Kelly McCrimmon told reporters: “He’s still unfit to play. There are unique circumstances surrounding the situation that the NHL, the NHLPA and the club are currently working through.”

Under the terms of the settlement, Vegas will pay Lehner the $4.4 million in salary he is owed under his deal this season while no longer carrying his $5 million annual cap hit. That should put the Golden Knights in a position to start the regular season off long-term injured reserve (LTIR), meaning they’ll start building up cap space that could be useful closer to the March 7 trade deadline.

A past winner of the Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey, Lehner has spoken openly about his challenges with addiction and mental health issues. He also finished third in Vezina Trophy voting following the 2018-19 season with the New York Islanders.

However, the 33-year-old will miss his third straight season since undergoing hip surgery and is not expected to resume an NHL career that included 364 games for the Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders, Chicago Blackhawks and Golden Knights.

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(Photo: Zak Krill/Getty Images)