Kevin Lankinen signing: Arturs Silovs sent a clear message for Patrik Allvin and the Canucks

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Cooper Godin
September 23, 2024 (10:17)

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The Vancouver Canucks may be forced to deal with a crowded crease once Thatcher Demko is able to return to game action.

Over the weekend, the Vancouver Canucks officially signed free agent goaltender Kevin Lankinen to a one-year contract worth $875,000 after weeks of rumours that both sides could be a perfect match.

By signing Kevin Lankinen, it likely signals that Thatcher Demko may not be ready to return as early as the Vancouver Canucks were hoping and getting the Finnish goaltender under contract as a safety net was something they desperately needed to do.

At this point, to start the season the Canucks will be going with a tandem of Arturs Silovs and Kevin Lankinen, the latter of whom has over 100 games of experience in the National Hockey League, while the team's young Latvian netminder stole the show in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Rick Tocchet is going to have a tough choice to make when it comes to who gets the start on opening night, but it won't be as tough as when Thatcher Demko is able to return.

On Monday's edition of the 32 Thoughts podcast, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman shared that Arturs Silovs' agents have told the Vancouver Canucks that his client would like to be in the National Hockey League this season.

Now, why would this make things difficult for Rick Tocchet? It's simple, because the team would be forced to carry three goaltenders once Demko returns, which is not ideal from a cap situation or a development standpoint for Arturs Silovs. Silovs' agents say he wants to be in the NHL this year and Kevin Lankinen cannot be assigned to Abbotsford of the American Hockey League without being placed on waivers.

This would mean the Canucks may have to carry three netminders whether they like it or not, or they could assign Arturs Silovs to the American Hockey League, something that may not sit well with the 23-year-old.

For now, there's no need to worry about 'what ifs', it's Kevin Lankinen and Arturs Silovs' crease and they'll likely share the starts throughout the start of the 2024-25 season.