The Canucks have been looking for 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 idea that Lankinen was searching for extra money. Nevertheless, 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 had been actually above-average for a second-string choice which makes it a bit shocking 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 approach again from a knee harm though he’s making good progress in current weeks. That mentioned, his availability for the beginning of the common season stays in query. That signifies that Lankinen can have a chance to battle Arturs Silovs for the beginning function if Demko isn’t out there on opening evening. If he is ready to play, the 2 will attempt to safe the backup function.
Administration made it identified earlier this summer time that their aim is to avoid utilizing LTIR though Tucker Poolman gained’t play this season. That’s significantly noteworthy because the staff is now $694K over the cap with this signing per PuckPedia. If Demko isn’t out there on opening evening, they’ll should take away a skater from the roster to slot in Lankinen’s contract. In the meantime, one in all him or Silovs must come off the roster as soon as Demko is cleared to return. That would work in Lankinen’s favor as Silovs has yet another season of waiver exemption remaining which might give the veteran a leg up on securing a full-time spot.
Both approach, whereas it took longer than they might have appreciated, Vancouver now has the goaltending insurance coverage that they’d been searching for for many of the summer time.