The --key argument is deprecated starting with Icinga 2.12.0 for the save-cert cli command. We should handle this within the certificate installer to skip the key for never versions but keep it for older ones.
This issue came across with Icinga/icinga2#7992
As for now, the argument will remain with 2.12.0 and not throw any issues, should however be covered to be save for future releases on which the argument is no longer present.