The Vancouver Canucks didn't act like a team in desperate need of a goaltender. When Thatcher Demko hit a wall in his injury rehab during the offseason, the Canucks could have panicked. They could have made a trade or thrown money at a free agent to ensure they had a veteran goaltender in their net and weren't relying entirely on rookie goaltenders with limited NHL experience. Instead, the Canucks were patient, even to the point of entering training camp without adding another goaltender beyond Dylan Ferguson on a PTO. That lack of panic paid off.
The best free-agent goaltender still available was Kevin Lankinen, who has 112 NHL games under his belt, including a couple of solid seasons as Juuse Saros's backup with the Nashville Predators. The Canucks showed clear interest in Lankinen but weren't willing to meet his asking price, as Lankinen was coming off a contract with a $2 million cap hit and had done enough, in theory, to earn a similar amount of money on his next deal.
The Canucks didn't want to go that high, however, as that would have required the Canucks to put Tucker Poolman on long-term injured reserve (LTIR), which would have affected their ability to accrue cap space throughout the coming season. Instead, the Canucks kept their offer at under $1 million and waited Lankinen out. When no other teams came calling with better offers and with the preseason fast approaching, Lankinen took the deal.
On Saturday, the Canucks signed Lankinen to a one-year contract with a cap hit of $875,000. “Kevin is an experienced NHL player who will add to our depth in goal,” said general manager Patrik Allvin. “He had a solid season last year in Nashville and has the size and skillset we like in a netminder. We look forward to getting him here to start working with our group.”
Lankinen's Opportunity with the Canucks
That's a fantastic deal for the Canucks, as Lankinen's cap hit is only $25,000 more than rookie Arturs Silovs. Once Demko returns, there will be little difference in terms of the salary cap which of the two goaltenders gets sent down to the AHL to play for the Abbotsford Canucks — likely Silovs, as he's still exempt from waivers.
The Canucks will likely still need to go with a 22-man roster to start the season to avoid LTIR but that's doable, especially with the farm team just down the road in Abbotsford. As for Lankinen, his gamble of going to free agency instead of re-signing in Nashville didn't pay off but he still lands on a Canucks team with a strong defensive system and a big opportunity to play a decent number of games, especially if Demko's health remains in question.
The Demko Factor
The Canucks have been positive about Demko's progress in recent weeks and he's been going through regular on-ice workouts ahead of the Canucks' practices at training camp. But Demko was clear that he wasn't going to put any pressure on himself with a definitive timeline, if one would even be possible with his rare and unique injury. “I'm not going to sit here and give you a timeline because it might create some problems for me,” said Demko on the first day of camp, adding, “I just kind of have one gear and that's just to go as hard as I can and try to get better every day. I'm just learning there's different ways to get better and maintain your system of play and make sure that you stay sharp and, at the same time, taking care of your body.”
The most likely scenario now is that Lankinen and Silovs will battle for starts until Demko returns. The 6'2” Lankinen has a career .905 save percentage in the NHL, but that includes two seasons with a defensively suspect Chicago Blackhawks team. In his last two seasons with the Predators, the 29-year-old goaltender has a .912 save percentage with one shutout.
Lankinen and Silovs: A Battle for Ice Time
The addition of Lankinen means he'll likely split the crease in the early season; Demko said on Thursday he has no timeline, but sources have suggested that he is likely to be ready to return by the end of October. Silovs has faced plenty of challenges in his career and overcome them — he carried his national team to a best finish in 2023 and then last spring was outstanding for the Canucks. But this one is different, going from preparing himself to be leaned on heavily this season, to being in a position where the team has conveyed that the like this outside guy more. It’s surely going to be a big mental challenge for the lanky Latvian.
Lankinen's Experience and Potential
Lankinen's experience in the NHL, particularly his recent success as a backup for the Nashville Predators, makes him a valuable asset for the Canucks. He provides a reliable and proven option in net, giving the Canucks a sense of security and stability. Lankinen's familiarity with newly minted goalie coach Marko Torenius could also be a factor in his success with the Canucks. It remains to be seen how Lankinen will perform in a more prominent role, but his track record and potential suggest he could be a key piece of the Canucks' puzzle.
Silovs' Development and Opportunity
Silovs, on the other hand, has the potential to be a long-term solution in goal for the Canucks. His impressive performance in the playoffs last season demonstrated his ability to handle pressure and perform at a high level. The addition of Lankinen doesn't necessarily diminish Silovs' role, but it does create competition and a need for him to continue his development and prove his worth. Silovs has the talent and determination to succeed, and the opportunity to learn from an experienced goalie like Lankinen could be beneficial for his growth.
A New Chapter for the Canucks
The Canucks' signing of Lankinen represents a new chapter for the team. While they haven't panicked in the face of uncertainty surrounding Demko's health, they have also taken steps to address their goaltending needs. The addition of Lankinen brings experience, stability, and competition to the goalie position, which should benefit the team in the long run. The Canucks are building a strong and competitive roster, and their ability to secure a reliable goaltender like Lankinen is a positive sign for their future. The coming season will be an interesting one for the Canucks, as they navigate the Demko injury and the emergence of Silovs, while Lankinen tries to make his mark on the team. The competition for ice time in net will be fierce, but it will undoubtedly benefit the Canucks as they strive to improve their performance on the ice.
