LAS VEGAS --Robin Lehner said his short time with the Vegas Golden Knights has him hoping he can talk to them about re-signing as a free agent.
"I'm sure we'll have some discussions [with general manager Kelly McCrimmon] after the season and see what happens," Lehner said Wednesday. "I really like it here. Great team, great organization, great group of players. We'll see what happens. You never know, but it's a very good impression here so far."
Vegas acquired Lehner on Feb. 24 in a three-team trade with the Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs. He was 3-0-0 with a 1.67 goals-against average, .940 save percentage and one shutout for the Golden Knights before the NHL season was paused March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.
Lehner stayed here for most of the pause. He skated all five weeks during voluntary workouts and said he was impressed by his teammates' dedication.
"I think a very good surprise to me is how committed this team is," Lehner said. "Everyone's been here since Day One of Phase 2, and I've been on the ice since Day One. I've been on the ice for five weeks, this is my sixth week, and the whole team has been here working really hard and trying to get prepared. I think this team knows how this is a good opportunity for this team, a really strong chance of going far. Everyone's been going hard.
"Definitely got to know the team a lot better over this break and Phase 2. It's been good. Quality group of guys here. The whole organization has been great. It's good going into the playoffs, for sure."
The Golden Knights (39-24-8, .606 points percentage) will play in the round-robin portion of the Stanley Cup Qualifiers against the St. Louis Blues, Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars to determine seeding for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Vegas opens against Dallas at Rogers Place in Edmonton, the hub city for the 12 Western Conference teams, on Aug. 3.
Golden Knights coach Peter DeBoer said the plan is to play Lehner and Marc-Andre Fleury during the playoffs. Lehner has been the No. 1 goalie at training camp with Fleury sitting out the first three days before making his camp debut on Friday.
"Robin's in tremendous shape," DeBoer said. "He came in and worked really hard during the pause. I think it's translated, and I think he looks great in practices."
Lehner, who would be an unrestricted free agent, signed a one-year contract with the Blackhawks before this season after being named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, given to the goalie voted best in the NHL, last season.
