Kevin Lankinen signed a one-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks for a modest $875,000.
Lankinen, an undrafted Finnish goalie, didn’t make his North American debut until age 25, initially playing for Chicago’s AHL team. Despite playing for a struggling team, he performed well enough to earn a call-up to the NHL. Over two tough seasons in Chicago, where he received little support from his teammates or management, Lankinen moved to Nashville, where his numbers improved significantly behind a stronger team.
General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that the #Canucks have agreed to terms with G Kevin Lankinen on a one-year contract worth $875K.
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) September 21, 2024
While backing up Juuse Saros in Nashville, Lankinen’s performance stabilized, earning him a one-year contract extension mid-season with a $500K pay bump. However, both he and Saros fell short of expectations last season. Saros was awarded an eight-year, $7.74 million deal, while Lankinen was released.
Now with the Canucks, Lankinen’s role is uncertain. His performances in Chicago were hard to evaluate due to the team’s poor defense, and while his numbers in Nashville were solid, it’s unclear how much of his success was tied to playing for a better team. At 29, Lankinen has four NHL seasons and 112 games under his belt, leaving room for growth but also raising questions about his long-term potential.
Vancouver is looking for more than just a backup, especially with Thatcher Demko sidelined indefinitely. Lankinen’s NHL experience makes him a valuable asset for the Canucks’ training camp, but whether he can secure a more permanent role remains to be seen. While inconsistent at times, Lankinen has the potential to become a starter if he refines his game, which the Canucks are counting on.
