By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
When the boss no longer has confidence in you, your job will likely end.
The Golden Knights’ back-up goaltender, Malcolm Subban, was traded to Chicago Monday.
VGK General Manager Kelly McCrimmon didn’t have confidence that Subban could win playoff games.
The bottom line, McCrimmon told media at a 3:30 p.m. trade deadline news conference, is that by acquiring talented goaltender Robin Lehner from the Chicago Blackhawks and pairing him with incumbent goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, he believed the VGK improved its goaltending situation for the final stretch drive of 18 games and the playoffs.
Here’s the thumb nail on Lehner: He’s 28 and started 31 games with the Blackhawks, posting a 16-10-5 record to go with a 3.01 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage this season. He has appeared in a total of 298 games and has a record of 113-120-45 to go with a 2.73 GAA and a .918 save percentage in his NHL Career with the Blackhawks, Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres and New York Islanders.
The Knights performed a few salary cap gymnastic moves with Toronto getting involved in the three-way trade. Keep in mind Lehner’s contract expires at the end of the season and it’s unclear whether he’s a rental for the playoff push or a long-term VGK player.
The Knights made the big trade after winning their sixth game in a row, a 6-5 overtime triumph over the Anaheim Ducks Sunday night. The VGK is bracing for a dogfight down the stretch. The Golden Knights play the Oilers Wednesday in a match-up of the division’s top two teams.
McCrimmon said Subban was shocked and disappointed over being traded. He called the young goalie a great friend to his teammates and an “engaging young man.”
Here’s a screen shot from a video interview LVSportsBiz.com did with Subban during the VGK year one.
Lehner has already tweeted out a few quips, including a light-hearted message to not have the VGK drummers meet him at McCarran International Airport.
The Knights also acquired versatile forward Nick Cousins from Montreal. ere’s the rundown on Cousins:
Cousins, 26, has posted 22 points (9 G, 13 A) to go with 33 penalty minutes in 58 games this season with the Montreal Canadiens. The Bellevile, Ontario native has posted 95 points (40 G, 55 A) to go with 136 penalty minutes in 317 career games while suiting up for the Canadiens, Arizona Coyotes (2017-18) and Philadelphia Flyers (2014-17). He was selected in the third round (68th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers.
McCrimmon said Cousins is a versatile player. He scored a career high of 12 goals in 71 games for the Arizona Coyotes in 2017-18.
The Knights also signed 32-year-old defenseman Nick Holden to a two-year contract extension through the 2021-22 season worth an average annual value of $1.7 million. He’s been paired with defenseman Shea Theodore lately.
What a trade deadline this NHL season — 55 players in 32 trades.
Former Golden Knights forward Erik Haula who was traded to Carolina has been now traded to Florida.
LVSportsBiz.com returns to the Top of the Escalator to talk with fans before Wednesday’s VGK vs Oilers game.
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