As the NHL gears up for training camps to begin, the Vancouver Canucks find themselves in need of additional goaltending depth. With starter Thatcher Demko dealing with injury concerns, General Manager Patrik Allvin is on the hunt for a reliable backup option. One potential candidate is veteran netminder Kevin Lankinen, who has an offer on the table from the Canucks. However, Lankinen is taking his time to weigh his options before making a decision.
It’s no surprise that Allvin is looking for a safety net in case Demko is sidelined for an extended period. While Arturs Silovs and Jiri Patera are currently on the roster, having a proven goalie like Demko is crucial for Vancouver’s playoff aspirations. Last season, the Canucks had Casey DeSmith as a backup, but he departed for the Dallas Stars in the offseason, leaving a void in the goaltending department.
Lankinen, who put up solid numbers for the Nashville Predators last season, could be the missing piece for the Canucks. With 11 wins in 24 games and a 2.82 goals-against-average, the 29-year-old showed that he can handle the workload in a backup role. Friedman hinted that Lankinen may ultimately sign with Vancouver, but he is also keeping his options open to see if other teams express interest.
As the Canucks continue their search for goaltending help, the waiting game appears to be the strategy for now. With training camps just around the corner, time is of the essence for Allvin and his team as they look to solidify their roster for the upcoming season. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
