LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Vegas Golden Knights have announced that it has acquired Chicago Blackhawks goalie Robin Lehner and forward Martins Dzierkrals in exchange for goalie Malcolm Subban, defenseman Slava Demin and a 2020 2nd round pick.
Lehner, 28, has 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. Following the 2018-19 season, he was awarded the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which is awarded annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey and William M. Jennings Trophy, which is to the goaltenders having played a minimum of 25 games for the team with the fewest goals scored against it based on regular-season play, while with the New York Islanders.
Dzierkals was a third round (68th overall) draft selection by the Maple Leafs in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. He has recorded 10 points (3 G, 7 A) in 31 games with the SM-liiga’s Jukurit. Last season with the KHL’s Dinamo Riga, he recorded 13 points (5 G, 8 A) in 42 games.
Vegas Golden Knights General Manager George McPhee also announced earlier today that the team has acquired forward Nick Cousins from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
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.
And, Nick Holden was given a 2-year contract extension worth $1.7 million annually.
Holden has recorded 11 points (5 G, 6 A) to go with 13 penalty minutes in 54 games with the Golden Knights this season. In two season with Vegas, he has recorded 26 points (8 G, 18 A) to go with 27 penalty minutes in 115 games. Holden is playing in his ninth season in the NHL and has recorded 138 points (44 G, 94 A) to go with 150 penalty minutes in 489 career games. Prior to Vegas, he spent time with the Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers and Boston Bruins. Holden originally signed with the Golden Knights on July 1, 2018.
