Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images

Vancouver Canucks sign veteran goaltender as goalie issues mount

Originally posted on Blade of Steel
By Brett Thomas Wills | Last updated Sep 22, 2024 9:38 AM ET

The Vancouver Canucks have solved their goaltending problem temporarily with the signing of veteran Kevin Lankinen to a one-year, $875,000 deal.

The Vancouver Canucks may have solved the goaltending issue they anticipated that they were going to experience due to news of Thatcher Demko's nagging knee injury and Arturs Silovs nursing something similar but to a much lesser extent. However, with their two top goaltenders seemingly on the shelf, it appears not all is lost as they have signed Kevin Lankinen to a one-year contract worth $875,000. The deal which had been prematurely discussed was at a crossroads last week, finally got done.

The 29-year-old Lankinen finished last season with an 11-6-0 record, a .908 SV% and a 5.56 GSAx.

While Lankinen isn't necessarily the best option to replace Demkor or Silovs for any extended period, and the Canucks scrambling to find a goaltender, he appears to be the best stop-gap option right now for the short time that the Canucks will hopefully need.

With Demko and Silovs in the net, the team had the fortune of having two studs in net. While the two are eased back the hope is Lankinen can shoulder the load. Demko played in 51 games going 35-14-2 during the campaign. He finished with a 2.45 GAA and a .918 SV%. For his efforts, Silovs skated in four regular season games going 3-01. In 10 playoff appearances, the 23-year-old went 5-5 with a 2.91 GAA & .898 SV%.

This article first appeared on Blade of Steel and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: