The reason why Kevin Lankinen chose the Canucks revealed

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Felip Gosselin
September 24, 2024 (6:06 PM)

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The Canucks were in a tough spot when they learned that Thatcher Demko would not be ready for training camp and most likely miss a part of the upcoming season.

Riding the first month of the season with a rookie in Arturs Silovs wasn't the greatest of plans, even though Silovs had shown great composure during last year's playoffs. Patrik Allvin then opted to visit the free agency market and identified Kevin Lankinen as the top target for his team.

The Fin was coming off a season in which he performed great, but the Nashville Predators chose to go in a different direction, leaving him contractless.

Lankinen reveals the reason why he chose Vancouver

With options on the table, back and forth discussions for a contract, Lankinen finally inked a one-year deal with the Canucks. In a recent interview with Brendan Batchelor, the number 32 revealed why he chose Vancouver.

As it turns out, the Canucks' newest goalie coach, Marko Torenius, has been spending time in the last few off-seasons working with Lankinen. The goaltender chose to reunite with Torenius because he believed he was the right coach to take his game to the next level. The level that might earn him a longer-term contract like the one the former Canucks' netminder Casey DeSmith was able to sign with the Dallas Stars:

In the 2023-2024 season, Kevin Lankinen delivered a solid performance as a goaltender, providing valuable depth for his team. Known for his quick reflexes and ability to remain composed under pressure, Lankinen posted consistent numbers throughout the year. His save percentage and goals-against average showed reliability, particularly in crucial moments.

While he wasn't the primary starter, Lankinen's ability to step up in key games helped stabilize the goaltending situation, earning him recognition as a dependable backup. His performances were critical in maintaining a competitive edge, making him a valuable asset to his team's depth chart.