Insider gives update on Canucks' pursuit of free agent goaltender Kevin Lankinen

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Cooper Godin
September 13, 2024 (11:39)

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An insider has given an update on the Vancouver Canucks' pursuit of free agent goaltender Kevin Lankinen.

With training camp less than a week away, the Vancouver Canucks are continuing to look at their options on the goaltending market with Thatcher Demko still working his way back from knee injuries sustained last season.

A number of names have been linked to the Vancouver Canucks over the last few weeks and one that's stood out above them all is Kevin Lankinen, formerly of the Nashville Predators.

On Friday's edition of Donnie & Dhali, Rick Dhaliwal provided an update on Kevin Lankinen and said that the Vancouver Canucks are continuing to pursue him as an option in the crease for them with Demko still out.

"The Canucks' pursuit of Lankinen has not stopped. They held talks with his agent this week, there just hasn't been progress. The Canucks made Lankinen an offer, it's believed to be under a million dollars. The Canucks could sign Lankinen in ten seconds, all they'd have to do is put Tucker Poolman on LTIR to get the deal done, but they don't want to do that. They want to do the Poolman LTIR thing at the trade deadline so they have some space there." Dhaliwal said.

He added, "There's no doubt in my mind that Lankinen is their number one choice, but all UFA players have got to make a choice soon. Why do they keep going after Lankinen? I think it's for a couple of reasons. Maybe Demko's going to be out longer than they expected. He's a veteran guy. Would you be comfortable with Silovs and Patera? I wouldn't be. What if Silovs gets hurt? Are you comfortable with Patera playing a National Hockey League game for the Vancouver Canucks? I'm not. That's maybe why they keep going after Lankinen.

All UFA players need to make a choice here in the next seven days, training camps are starting, so I think the Canucks are trying to wait Lankinen out and see if he takes their offer closer to camp. But, the Canucks could say, enough waiting on Lankinen and sign a goaltender to a PTO any day as well. So, it is very interesting to me that the Canucks continue, it's been over three weeks, they continue to show interest in this goaltender Lankinen."

If the Canucks feel that Thatcher Demko will be out longer than they initially expected, Kevin Lankinen would be a solid option for them. Last season, the 29-year-old appeared in 24 games where he had a record of 11-6-0 along with a 2.82 goals against average, a .908 save percentage and one shutout.

We'll have to wait and see if the Canucks and Kevin Lankinen's camp are able to agree to terms on a contract before training camp begins in Penticton next Thursday.