The Vancouver Canucks have addressed their goaltending concerns by signing veteran netminder Kevin Lankinen to a one-year contract worth $875,000. This move comes in response to injuries affecting their top goaltenders, Thatcher Demko and Arturs Silovs. Demko has been dealing with a persistent knee injury, while Silovs is also recovering from a less severe issue. With both goalies likely sidelined for a period, the Canucks needed a temporary solution.
Lankinen, 29, played last season with a solid 11-6-0 record, posting a .908 save percentage and a 5.56 goals saved above expected (GSAx). While not considered an ideal long-term replacement for Demko or Silovs, Lankinen offers a reliable short-term option as the team navigates its goalie injuries.
His signing had been in discussion for some time, but the deal was finalized recently after reaching a crossroads in negotiations last week.
Demko has been a key player for Vancouver, playing 51 games last season with an impressive 35-14-2 record, a 2.45 goals-against average (GAA), and a .918 save percentage. Silovs, at just 23 years old, showed promise as well, playing in four regular-season games with a 3-0-1 record. He also appeared in 10 playoff games, where he went 5-5 with a 2.91 GAA and a .898 save percentage.
Although Lankinen may not fully replace the production of Demko and Silovs, he is expected to hold the fort while the team waits for its main goaltenders to recover. The Canucks are optimistic that this solution will be short-term and that Demko and Silovs can return to action soon. For now, Lankinen’s experience will provide some much-needed stability in net.
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