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Vancouver Canucks are getting a goalie back sooner than expected

Trevor Beggs
Trevor Beggs
|
Nov 29 2025, 5:41 pm
Vancouver Canucks are getting a goalie back sooner than expected

This news may affect those who are in favour of Team Tank.

Although when you play behind the NHL’s worst defence, anything is possible.

CHEK’s Rick Dhaliwal reported on Friday that Kevin Lankinen was back practicing in Vancouver after he took an absence from the team for personal reasons.

While he was practicing up north, the Vancouver Canucks lost 3-2 against the San Jose Sharks down in California.

Even though Lankinen was in Vancouver yesterday, Dhaliwal reported this morning that the Canucks have sent down goaltender Jiri Patera, and they’ve called up Jonathan Lekkerimäki.

With Patera sent down, Lankinen must be with the Canucks in Los Angeles tonight, as he and Tolopilo would be the only healthy goalies on the roster.

While his return will be welcomed, Lankinen hasn’t been as stellar compared to his performance with the Canucks at the beginning of last season.

After taking over the starter’s role following some subpar showings from Arturs Silovs in 2024-25, Lankinen went 11-3-2 with a .909 save percentage through October and November.

Through the first two months of this season, Lankinen is 4-7-2 with an .880 save percentage.

The Canucks cratering defensive structure hasn’t done him any favours, as his Goals Saved Above Expected at five-on-five ranks 34th among 62 NHL goaltenders this season.

Clearly, the Canucks could use a healthy Thatcher Demko, who’s been one of the league’s best goaltenders when healthy this season.

A report from Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre earlier in the week suggested that Demko, and injured winger Nils Höglander, were expected to start skating in Los Angeles today.

The Canucks announced on Saturday that they wouldn’t be holding a morning skate after playing the previous day, so we’ll have to wait another day for an update on the practice return of Demko and Höglander.

For Lekkerimäki, he registered three goals and five points in five games during his conditioning stint with the Abbotsford Canucks, which included a one-timer goal last night.

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