Vancouver Canucks General Manager, Patrik Allvin, announced yesterday afternoon that the Canucks have signed goaltender Kevin Lankinen. The 29-year-old native of Helsinki, Finland, signed a one-year contract worth $875k. This seems like another work of art by Allvin to get a goaltender at this price.
Lankinen appeared in 24 games for the Nashville Predators last season, posting a record of 11-6-0 with a 2.82 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage.
The veteran goaltender will help solidify Vancouver’s crease, and will likely start the season splitting time with Arturs Silvos. This gives Allvin and the Canucks time to assess Thatcher Demko in his rehab from last Spring’s nagging injury, which continues to be clouded with uncertainty. Lankinen’s agent, Todd Diamond, reported that Kevin is in Finland and should be in Vancouver in a couple of days.
In other Nux News, the team wraps up training camp today in Penticton. Head coach, Rick Tocchet, told Daily Hive that three players, among others, have stood out to him, newcomer Keifer Sherwood, defenceman Filip Hronek, and forward Nils Hoglander. All have had an excellent camp, with veteran players JT Miller, Brock Boeser, Quinn Hughes, Tyler Myers, and Elias Pettersson, leading the way.
This group looks good, and should be able to challenge for another Pacific Division title. But as President of Hockey Operations, Jim Rutherford, stated “Everything has to go right.”
Canucks fans forever remain cautiously optimistic.
ITR 36: Coaching Carousel – Inside The Rink
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