The Canucks have been trying to find some goalie depth for some time now with Kevin Lankinen being an early goal. Whereas it took some time, the 2 sides have reached an settlement because the team announced that the netminder has signed a one-year, $875K contract.
Vancouver made an offer to the 29-year-old final month, one which was beneath the $1M mark as this contract is, however it was rejected with the assumption that Lankinen was searching for extra money. Nonetheless, with alternatives throughout the league largely dried up at this level, it seems he determined to take the assured deal that was on the desk.
Lankinen spent the final two years in Nashville, posting a 2.79 GAA and a .912 SV% in 43 video games. These numbers have been actually above-average for a second-string possibility which makes it a bit stunning that a greater provide didn’t materialize for him over the previous couple of months. For his profession, he has a 3.07 GAA with a .895 SV% over 4 NHL seasons, the opposite two coming with Chicago.
Beginning goaltender Thatcher Demko remains to be working his method again from a knee harm though he’s making good progress in current weeks. That stated, his availability for the beginning of the common season stays in query. That implies that Lankinen could have a possibility to battle Arturs Silovs for the beginning position if Demko isn’t out there on opening evening. If he is ready to play, the 2 will attempt to safe the backup position.
Administration made it identified earlier this summer season that their purpose is to avoid utilizing LTIR though Tucker Poolman gained’t play this season. That’s significantly noteworthy because the crew is now $694K over the cap with this signing per PuckPedia. If Demko isn’t out there on opening evening, they’ll need to take away a skater from the roster to slot in Lankinen’s contract. In the meantime, considered one of him or Silovs should come off the roster as soon as Demko is cleared to return. That might work in Lankinen’s favor as Silovs has yet one more season of waiver exemption remaining which might give the veteran a leg up on securing a full-time spot.
Both method, whereas it took longer than they’d have appreciated, Vancouver now has the goaltending insurance coverage that they’d been searching for for a lot of the summer season.
