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NHL Rumors: Elliotte Friedman reports why Vancouver Canucks and Kevin Lankinen deal hasn't worked out
The Vancouver Canucks are interested in signing free agent goaltender Kevin Lankinen, reports NHL insider Elliotte Friedman. However, a deal has not yet materialized due to a disagreement over Lankinen's salary demands.
The Canucks extended a contract proposal to Lankinen, however the goaltender turned it down. As per Friedman on "32 Thoughts" podcast:
"There's still a dance with Kevin Lankinen, but the two sides are not in agreement on compensation."
Lankinen is coming off a solid 2023-24 season, serving as the backup to Juuse Saros in Nashville. In 17 games with the Predators, Lankinen posted a 11-6-0 record along with a 2.82 goals against average and .908 save percentage.
Vancouver finds itself in a difficult salary cap situation, which complicates negotiations. The team has just $190,833 in cap space remaining, nowhere near enough room to sign a veteran goaltender like Lankinen who carried a $2 million cap hit on his last contract.
The Canucks have a roster of 23 players, which includes their injured goalies Thatcher Demko and Arturs Silovs.Defenseman Tucker Poolman might be put on term injured reserve, but Vancouver prefers not to resort to using LTIR this season.
For now, prospect Dylan Ferguson, attending training camp on a PTO, provides an option in net.
Fans react to Vancouver Canucks trying to sign goaltender Kevin Lankinen
Fans have voiced mixed opinions about the team's reported interest in signing free agent goalie Kevin Lankinen.
Some expressed impatience over the lack of clarity surrounding the Vancouver Canucks' goalie situation, with free agency options dwindling.
"I don’t like the waiting game," one fan commented.
Another wondered about the contract offer made to Lankinen:
"What was the offer?"
Here are some more fan reactions:
"If they don't go into their LTIR that means they will have more money at the end of the season to play with," one fan wrote on X.
"Why are the Canucks do chicken shit to use the ltir?," another fan wrote.
"Who’s Kevin lankinen ? Is he playing for middle park at the homecoming game?," a user commented.
"If you have cap space, it grows throughout the year, giving you more cap space by the deadline," another user commented.
Overall, fans seem eager for Vancouver Canucks to make a firm decision in net soon.
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