During the 2021-22 NHL season, the Vegas Golden Knights failed to make the playoffs for the first time in their franchise’s brief history. The disappointing end result had very much to do with the team’s poor health and lack of player availability throughout the year.
And while there was hope that the injuries were left in the past, the next campaign is already giving a similar vibe well before the season gets underway.
The Knights’ official Twitter account let everyone know that goaltender Robin Lehner will undergo hip surgery and is expected to miss the upcoming season. In case you forgot, Lehner had shoulder surgery back in April, which closed the book on his 2021-22 season prematurely.
NEWS: Robin Lehner is expected to miss the entire 2022-23 NHL season after it was determined that he will require hip surgery. An exact timeline of his recovery is to be determined. #VegasBorn
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) August 11, 2022
Vegas was already going to have its work cut out in order to rebound from the disappointing season. But now, without an elite starting goaltender, the Knights are even more behind the 8-ball and their +1500 Stanley Cup odds at Tipico Sportsbook will probably grow longer.
Maybe the Knights can come out of nowhere and make another deep run, as they did in their debut NHL season.
Maybe.
A lot would have to go right, but hey, weird things happen in the City of Sin. Doom and gloom in Vegas? Or get in on the potential dip?