2025-26 Canucks Bold Prediction: Lankinen and Demko bring home the William M. Jennings Trophy

When it comes to the most important position in hockey, most fans will agree it’s goaltending. Whether it’s in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final or a regular season game, having a strong goaltender can be the difference between winning and losing.

For the Vancouver Canucks, goaltending has always been a controversial position. We’ve seen a number of great goalies come and go throughout the franchise’s history.

From Richard Brodeur and Kirk McLean to Roberto Luongo, all of these goalies have built their own legacies and left an everlasting mark on Canucks history.

In 2010-11, two Canucks goalies etched their names in Canucks history by achieving a feat that had never been done before by anyone wearing the Canucks uniform.

After leading the Canucks to first in the entire NHL, goaltenders Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider became the first and only Canucks goaltenders to be awarded the William M. Jennings. That season, Luongo and Schneider collectively allowed 185 goals against, and both finished with a goals against average (GAA) of under 2.25.

For those who don’t know, the William M. Jennings trophy is awarded to the goaltender(s) on the team that allowed the fewest goals against for an entire season. Goaltenders split the award when a team has two netminders who play over 25 games.

This season, a new duo of Canucks goaltenders will aim to permanently cement their spot in Canucks history by following in the footsteps of perhaps the most iconic goaltending duo in Canucks history.

Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen are set to man the pipes for the Canucks this season, and if everything goes right, it could be an elite season for the duo.

Despite struggling with injuries in the past, Demko has demonstrated that he can be an elite goaltender at the NHL level. Lankinen has also shown that he is more than capable of performing as a starting goalie.

The key is if Demko can stay healthy. If the netminder can avoid injury, the duo has the chance to be one of the strongest goaltending tandems in the league.

Canucks GM Patrik Alvin has reinforced his belief in his tandem, citing that he believes the team has the best goaltending duo in the league.

Last season, Lankinen started or appeared in 51 games, recording 25 wins and 15 losses, a career high for the Finnish goaltender. Meanwhile, Demko only played 23 games due to injuries.

Fast forward to this year’s preseason, and Demko has looked like his old self. In a September 28th clash with the Edmonton Oilers, which saw the Canucks ice a roster of primarily AHL players, Demko posted a .883 save percentage against two of the league’s best players, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Demko made several key saves to keep the Canucks in the game.

And in the preseason finale, with a more roster of more NHL talent in front of him, Demko finished with a 1.97 goals against average and a .926 save percentage against a stacked Oilers squad.

Despite them only being preseason games, Demko’s ability to make key saves for his team will be vastly important for the Canucks as the regular season begins.

While Demko and Lankinen no doubt have the ability to backstop the team to a playoff spot, they will benefit from the team in front of them.

This season, the Canucks will feature an improved defence corps led by Quinn Hughes, Filip Hronek, and Marcus Pettersson. Additionally, a new youth movement featuring Elias Pettersson (D), Victor Mancini, and the potential for Tom Willander to see some time with the Canucks. They also have a long-tenured NHL defensive defenceman behind the bench in Adam Foote, who can help bring a strong defensive structure in front of Demko and Lankinen, which will only increase their odds for the William M. Jennings Trophy.

In order for the Canucks to be in the running for the Jennings trophy, Demko will need to compete with the best goaltenders in the league. Names such as Andrei Vasilevskiy, Igor Shesterkin, Jake Oettinger and last year’s winner Connor Hellebuyck will likely be in the running for the trophy. However, where Demko has a leg up on this competition is the guy behind him, Kevin Lankinen, who proved he can be a fantastic 1B option as long as you manage his workload.

It won’t be an easy task for the Canucks netminders, but if they can stay healthy and consistent, they have a chance to be among the top goaltenders in the league.