Breaking News: Vancouver Canucks Strengthen Goalie Position Following Goaltender Injury Setback

The Vancouver Canucks have strengthened their goaltending by signing Kevin Lankinen to a one-year contract worth $875,000 for the 2024–25 season. The announcement was made by GM Patrik Allvin on Saturday, providing the team with essential support as starting goalie Thatcher Demko continues his recovery without a clear timeline for his return.

Lankinen, 29, brings four seasons of NHL experience and has established himself as a reliable backup, although he is not considered an ideal starter. Last season with the Nashville Predators, he recorded an 11-6-8 record in 24 games, with a 2.82 goals-against average (GAA) and a .908 save percentage (SV%), including one shutout.

Lankinen began his NHL career with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2020 and has played 112 career games, boasting a record of 45-43-12, a 3.07 GAA, a .905 SV%, and three shutouts.

Now, he joins Arturs Silovs as the two goalies on Vancouver’s NHL roster, offering much-needed stability while Demko is sidelined. However, the Canucks hope Demko will return to the net as soon as he is healthy. After Thursday’s practice, Demko shared an update on his recovery, stating, “I would say it hasn’t been linear,” and mentioned the uncertainty surrounding his condition.

Demko missed most of March last season due to a knee issue and played only one game in the postseason. When fully healthy, he is regarded as one of the NHL’s top goaltenders, finishing second in the 2024 Vezina Trophy voting with a 35-14-2 record, a 2.45 GAA, a .918 SV%, and five shutouts in 51 regular-season games.