On October 20th, the Vegas Golden Knights lost their starting goaltender during a contest against the Carolina Hurricanes. Adin Hill exited the game midway through the first period after suffering an apparent non-contact injury.
Two days later, Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy called Hill week-to-week. There has been no update since.
In Wednesday’s edition of his Written 32 Thoughts, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman provided the first real update concerning Hill’s health. While discussing Canada’s goaltending options for the Olympics, he offhandedly reported on Hill’s recovery timeline.
Friedman wrote that Jordan Binnington, Canada’s starting goaltender at the 4 Nations Face-Off, would be a lock for the Olympic squad.
“After that, there are questions, especially since word is Adin Hill is out a few months,” wrote Friedman.
Adin Hill was Canada’s backup goaltender at the 4 Nations Face-Off, although he didn’t draw into a game.
Hill has a record of 1-0-2 and an average save percentage of .888 through five games played. However, his injury came just as he was starting to find his footing. He recorded a 27-save win in his last complete outing.
A long-term injury for Hill delays the inevitable goaltending decision that the Golden Knights will have to make. Hill’s job is safe– the Golden Knights signed him to a hefty six–year, $37.5 million contract just last year. Because they signed Carter Hart to a two-year deal, these ‘months’ will allow Akira Schmid the opportunity to fight for another NHL job.
If Hill is indeed out several months, this opens the door for the Golden Knights to place him on LTIR. This is significant because when they activate Mark Stone off of LTIR, they will be over the cap by more than $2.5 million.