Vancouver Canucks Sign Goaltender Kevin Lankinen to Long-Term Contract Extension
Photo credit: Bob Frid - USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Lankinen has been a bright spot for the Vancouver Canucks this season and after waiting all summer for a contract, he's finally earned a long-term deal.
Without Kevin Lankinen, it's hard to picture where the Vancouver Canucks would be in the Western Conference standings, as the 29-year-old has had a record-setting campaign thus far and isn't going away anytime soon.
Vancouver Canucks sign Kevin Lankinen to long-term extension
In a post on social media this morning, the Vancouver Canucks announced that they've agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension worth $22.5 million USD ($4.5 million AAV) with Kevin Lankinen.
Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin commented on the signing, saying that the club wouldn't be in the position they are today without his play this season, adding that he has a willingness to do whatever it takes to get the win on any given night.
"Kevin has done a great job for us in net this season," said Allvin. "Right from the start of the year, he has shown a strong desire to compete and a willingness to do whatever it takes to win hockey games. A good leader and teammate, we wouldn't be in the position we are in right now without his strong play."
Lankinen, a native of Helsinki, Finland signed with the organization for one-year, $875,000 for the 2024-25 campaign after going all summer without any contract offers that he liked.
In 34 games this season with the Canucks, Lankinen has a record of 19-8-7 with a 2.53 goals against average, a .905 save percentage and four shutouts.
With the injury issues surrounding Thatcher Demko over the last 10 months, signing Kevin Lankinen to a long-term extension gives the Vancouver Canucks some security between the pipes, but also some question marks too.
Now that Kevin Lankinen is locked up long-term, and Thatcher Demko has one year remaining on his deal after this season, there isn't a path right now for Arturs Silovs to make the jump to the NHL on a full-time basis, when Demko is healthy, which is probably disappointing news for the Latvian.
Lankinen and the Vancouver Canucks will be back in action tomorrow night as they start a five-game road trip in Vegas against the Golden Knights, with puck drop set for just after 7 pm PT on CBC and Sportsnet.
Source: Vancouver Canucks
CANUCKS AGREE TO TERMS WITH KEVIN LANKINEN ON A 5-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION
CANUCKS AGREE TO TERMS WITH KEVIN LANKINEN ON A 5-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 21 | 511 ANSWERS Vancouver Canucks Sign Goaltender Kevin Lankinen to Long-Term Contract Extension Is this a fair contract for Kevin Lankinen based on his play? | ||
| Yes | 420 | 82.2 % |
| No, he could've got more money | 49 | 9.6 % |
| No, it's too much money | 42 | 8.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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