'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
NHL Insider speculates major roadblock in Vancouver Canucks' pursuit of goaltender
The Vancouver Canucks are targeting free agent goaltender Kevin Lankinen, as per NHL Insider Rick Dhaliwal.
The Canucks are actively searching for another reliable netminder in light of recent news of a setback in starter Thatcher Demko’s rehab. In particular, Vancouver faces the prospect of starting the season without its No. 1 goalie.
That means playoff hero Arturs Silovs will likely get the call to take over the crease. However, Silovs is a largely inexperienced goalie, creating the need for an experienced backup who can share the load until Demko returns.
As Dhaliwal pointed out, the Canucks’ salary cap may hinder them from getting someone like Kevin Lankinen on board.
The former Nashville Predators netminder is expected to get roughly $2 million per season. However, as per PuckPedia, the Canucks were just under $200K in available cap space.
Thus, Vancouver may need to explore a cap-clearing move to facilitate Lankinen’s signing. Perhaps placing Demko on LTIR to start the season may temporarily solve the situation.
However, upon Demko’s return, the Canucks will need to figure out what to do as it would be nearly impossible to carry three goaltenders given the club’s cap situation.
Regardless of what Vancouver chooses to do, the fact remains that the club needs to find an answer to their goaltending dilemma. If Demko is unable to go at the start of the season, the Canucks may have no choice but to roll the dice on Silovs for a full season.
Vancouver Canucks' concerning lack of goaltending depth
The Canucks lack depth at the goaltending position. But that wasn’t the case last season. Last year, the Canucks had Demko, Casey DeSmith as backup and Silovs as the third-stringer.
During the playoffs, that depth enabled the Canucks to push the Edmonton Oilers to Game 7 in their second-round series after Demko and DeSmith both went down with injuries. Since then, DeSmith has departed via free agency.
But after Silovs, Jiri Patera will most likely get the nod as backup. Patera has eight NHL starts with the Vegas Golden Knights. In those eight starts, Patera registered a 3.57 GAA and a .902 SV%. Those numbers don’t seem very encouraging for a team looking to repeat as division winners.
Beyond Patera, prospects Ty Young and Nikita Tolopilo would need to slide in to support the big club. While having several young goaltenders in the organization is always a plus, none of the current goalies in the pipeline are poised to become a full-time NHL starter.
Ultimately, the Canucks will need to boost their goaltending depth as there is no solid timetable for Demko’s return. Adding a veteran backup on a cheap contract like Martin Jones or Antti Raanta may be the Canucks’ best way forward.
Trending
