McCrimmon: Lehner won't be reporting to Knights this season

Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon confirmed Thursday that goaltender Robin Lehner will not be reporting to the club this season.

"He continues to be unfit to play," he said. "There are unique circumstances surrounding this situation that the NHL, the NHLPA, and the club are currently working through. Collectively we are assessing our next steps and when we have more to say, we will. There will be nothing further until then."

Lehner was a no-show for a compulsory preseason medical exam Wednesday, according to Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli. Contract termination is among Vegas' options.

The league's CBA states injured players must undergo a medical exam before every season for which they're under contract - even if they've been on long-term injured reserve for multiple campaigns - in order to verify their inability to play.

Lehner didn't play in either of the past two seasons, but he's entering the final campaign of a five-year contract with a $5-million cap hit and $4.5 million due in salary.

The veteran suited up for parts of 12 seasons with the Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders, Chicago Blackhawks, and the Golden Knights. He spent his last two full campaigns and part of another with Vegas. Lehner is a two-time Jennings Trophy winner for team goaltending and also received the Masterton Trophy for perseverance and dedication to hockey in 2018-19.

The 33-year-old opened up in the past about his bipolar disorder, addiction to alcohol and sleeping pills, depression, and other mental health issues. He's been an advocate for further conversations about those matters.