The place would the Vancouver Canucks be with out Kevin Lankinen? That has been one of many extra beneficial signings not just for the Canucks however all through the remainder of the league. He has confirmed to be an excellent backup goalie, having been in Chicago with the Blackhawks and final yr with the Nashville Predators. There have been instances in Chicago when he cut up beginning duties. Nevertheless, his play this season was a giant motive why he was named to Finland’s 4 Nations Face-off workforce.
For his profession, Lankinen has a 2.93 GAA and a .905 save proportion. This season with the Canucks, he has a document of 19-9-7 in 33 begins and 35 appearances with a 2.52 GAA and a .907 save proportion. He has set a career-high for wins for 19. Probably the most he had in a season was 17, which was again in 2020-21.
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Properly, these numbers earned Kevin Lankinen a brand new five-year take care of an AAV of $4.5 million. Lankinen is now not questioning the place he shall be taking part in on the finish of the season. Keep in mind he was signed by the Canucks proper earlier than the common season began due to the damage to Thatcher Demko. The Canucks goaltending was a difficulty coming into the season. It nonetheless is now, however Lankinen has introduced stability to the place.
He additionally earned himself a full no-move clause for the primary two years of the deal and a modified no-trade clause for the ultimate three years. This was the backup plan for Demko, who has one yr left at $5 million.
TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger joined Flames Nation and was requested about Demko’s future with the Canucks and what the deal means for Lankinen and the Canucks shifting ahead.
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
Darren Dreger: “I believe plenty of it, and that’s being respectful of what Kevin Lankinen has offered to the Vancouver Canucks, as a result of they pulled this man off a scrap heap. Who’s kidding, Who? I imply the precise place on the proper time if you happen to’re Kevin Lankinen. However within the absence of Thatcher Demko, he gave them high quality goaltending and with out high quality goaltending, the Vancouver Canucks are in an actual ugly battle proper now coming into the ultimate push right here.
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So I’d say that he’s earned this deal. It was fascinating, although, so I keep in mind checking in earlier than the 4 Nations break with the brokers Todd Diamond and Mark Gandler and asking the place you might be within the course of. And the response was, yeah, you already know what, We’re sort of on and off. We’re having preliminary talks that sort of return all the way in which again to mid-January. So, however nothing that might be thought-about on the entrance burner. After which it feels like, within the final couple of days, Patrik Allvin and the Vancouver Canucks mentioned, Okay, we higher get this accomplished.
And now have been they going to do this anyway? Have they got inside data on Thatcher Demko that we haven’t been apprised of but? I don’t know. However after I consider the comps, I imply, based mostly on what these different guys have signed for, Joey Daccord, Mackenzie Blackwood, and Logan Thompson simply received their deal accomplished. You had (Ukka-Pekka) Luukkonen. There have been plenty of comps that the brokers have been capable of push to administration Vancouver and say, Okay, nicely, 5 years is the time period that everybody else appears to be comfy with, so we’re good with that.
I believe he really would have needed a bit of bit extra money, consider it or not. I believe 5 instances 5 would have in all probability been what the participant had began at, after which he comes again at 4 and a half. So I believe it’s a fairly whole lot if you happen to’re Kevin Lankinen.
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So the Vancouver Canucks really feel that Kevin Lankinen may very well be the man shifting ahead over Thatcher Demko. Once more, do they really feel Demko is value a pay increase if he retains getting injured? It might simply be the state of affairs the Anaheim Geese are going by way of with John Gibson. Even with a rising wage cap, no workforce needs to undergo that.
Kevin Lankinen earned his flowers and the cash he was provided. Let’s see if he can get the Canucks within the playoffs.”
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