The Vancouver Canucks have gotten themselves goalie in Kevin Lankinen. As NHLRumors.com has documented, Lankinen has been an ideal worth signing for the Canucks with Thatcher Demko out as a result of harm and Arturs Silvos not enjoying as much as his playoff efficiency of a yr in the past.
NHL Rumors: What are the Vancouver Canucks on the Commerce Market?
So it begs the query, why is Lankinen not a starter within the NHL, and will he flip his efficiency with the Canucks, particularly whether it is saved up, right into a starter’s position with one other NHL staff this low season.
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet was on Sirius XM NHL Community Radio with Gord Stellick and Scott Laughlin and acknowledged that Kevin Lankinen was on the lookout for a starter’s position this previous low season however needed to take a step again and might be the subsequent Anthony Stolarz.
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
NHL Rumors: St. Louis Blues Might Be a Vendor Later On within the Season
Gord Stellick: “My query is, very often, we have a look at the massive, massive issues that occur, and we don’t ignore the little issues. And very often, the little issues are massive issues. And right here, right here’s the tie in with Lankinen He did an actual stable job final yr because the backup goaltender in Nashville now, who’s making $2 million. So on July 2nd, all of it obtained dwarfed, with (Steven) Stamkos and everybody else coming that they signed. Scott Wedgewood for $1.5 million per season.
After which September twenty first Lankinen will get $875,000 to go to Vancouver. Now was Lankinen making an attempt to get massive. Like why would they not signal him for 1.5 or did Lankinen really feel he have leverage and actually blow issues? And principally was determined to go wherever.
As a result of I’m considering, why would he, he was a stable backup in Nashville, and why did they go in some course? I do know backup goaltenders aren’t the distinction makers, however very often, these little issues as Wedgewood hasn’t performed nice. (Juuse) Saros has. Wedgwood stats to this point aren’t good within the backup position.”
NHL Rumors: Colorado Avalanche Will Look To Improve Goaltending
Elliotte Friedman: “Effectively, I feel there’s a few issues there. It’s an ideal query. Gordie, I feel there’s a few issues there. Primary, I feel Lankinen was on the lookout for a better alternative. As soon as Saros signed that massive extension. I feel he noticed the writing on the wall that it was Saros’s job. So I can’t fault Lankinen for that. I do know that one of many issues that Lankinen actually regarded for was, have been there going to be locations the place there was a route to begin?
And I heard one of many groups that sort of checked out him was Anaheim. We knew Anaheim was making an attempt to maneuver (John) Gibson, and I feel they have been hoping that they have been going to have the ability to transfer Gibson. And I feel that Lankinen sort of waited to see if one thing would occur there. As a result of if Gibson had been dealt he might have gone and shaped a duo with (Lukas) Dostal and Dostal is a hell of a goalie. He’s going to be goalie for a very long time, however Lankinen would have performed extra.
And on the finish, I feel Lankinen simply waited and waited and waited to see if one thing opened up for him. And the most effective alternative was Vancouver, and what it might find yourself being, Gordie is simply stepping again to take a little bit step ahead now with the job he’s executed right here and Silvos is waiver-eligible. So until Vancouver desires to hold three, that’s going to be an issue for him.
NHL Rumors: New York Rangers First Domino To Fall Coach or Commerce
To me, it sort of jogs my memory a little bit little bit of Stolarz. Now, after final yr, the yr that Stolarz had in Florida, he parlayed it into a greater scenario for himself when it comes to beginning, and possibly that’s possibly we see on the finish of this season, Lankinen takes the chance and runs with it someplace else.”
To date, his document with Vancouver is 10-3-2, with a 2.56 GAA and a .909 save share. If Kevin Lankinen retains this up, he might get an analogous contract to Stolarz this offseason.
Have you ever subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s new and we’re simply getting began. Rumor roundups and sizzling subjects from across the league.
