Vegas gets Robin Lehner to address need between the pipes

The Vegas Golden Knights made a significant move to upgrade their goaltending situation on Monday, acquiring Robin Lehner from the Chicago Blackhawks.

With a six-game winning streak going entering trade deadline day on Monday, the Vegas Golden Knights have taken a three-point lead in a tight Pacific Division. But they made a significant move in the final minutes before the deadline, according to multiple reports, with a deal to get goaltender Robin Lehner from the Chicago Blackhawks.

Chris Johnston of Sportsnet reported Vegas is sending a second-round pick, defenseman prospect Slava Demin and goaltender Malcolm Subban to Chicago in the trade.

In 33 games (31 starts) for the Blackhawks this season, Lehner is 16-10-5 with a 3.01 goals against average and a .918 save percentage. Last season with the New York Islanders, in over 46 games (43 starts), he had a stellar 2.13 goals against average (third in the league) with a .930 save percentage (second in the league).

Primarily behind the duo of Marc-Andre Fleury (44 starts) and Subban (19 starts), Vegas is tied for 23rd in the league in save percentage (.898) and tied for 14th in goals against (3.03 per game). Fleury is 5-2-1 with a shutout over his last eight games, albeit with a dismal-looking .892 save percentage over that span. Fleury has had an up-and-down season, so upgrading from Subban behind him is an easy way to reduce his workload down the stretch.

Subban also just allowed five goals to the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night, which may have pushed some urgency to find something closer to a co-No.1 to pair with Fleury.

Lehner is on an expiring contract, so that made him an appealing trade target for teams with a need in goal. The Carolina Hurricanes reportedly made a call to the Blackhawks about him in the wake of injuries to James Reimer and Petr Mrazek over the weekend, but a deal wasn’t done and ultimately it appears Vegas made a better offer (or any offer at all).

The Pacific Division saw teams trying to separate themselves in a tight race on trade deadline day, as the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames also made notable moves. The Golden Knights had a big need to address, and all they did was go out and get the best goaltender available on the trade market.

Follow FanSided NHL for more news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage about hockey in all forms throughout the entire 2019-20 NHL season and beyond.