Vancouver Canucks sign Lankinen to surprise $22.5-million contract extension
The Vancouver Canucks have clearly been thrilled with what they’ve seen from Kevin Lankinen this season, because they’re committing to him long term.
The Canucks re-signed Lankinen to a five-year, $22.5-million deal that will carry an average annual value of $4.5 million. The contract comes with a no-movement clause for the first two years, per CHEK’s Rick Dhaliwal. Lankinen will have a 15-team no-trade list for the final three years of the deal.
Lankinen gets a no move for the 1st 2 years.
No trade the last 3 years and it's a 15 team list.
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) February 21, 2025
“Kevin has done a great job for us in net this season,” said GM Patrik Allvin. “Right from the start of the year, he has shown a strong desire to compete and a willingness to do whatever it takes to win hockey games. A good leader and teammate, we wouldn’t be in the position we are in right now without his strong play.”
After going unsigned all offseason, Lankinen eventually agreed to a one-year, $875,000 deal with the Canucks in late September. He’s been forced into a number-one role given Thatcher Demko’s injuries and has lived up to the challenge, posting a 2.53 GAA along with a .905 SV% through 34 games.
The amount of term and money given to Lankinen in this deal suggests the Canucks may have some real concerns over Demko’s health moving forward. The 29-year-old missed all but one playoff game last season and continued to remain sidelined for a good portion of the 2024-25 campaign.
Demko has appeared in just 17 games this season, posting a 2.87 GAA and a .891 SV%. He suffered another lower-body injury prior to the 4 Nations Face-Off break and is currently listed as week-to-week.
The Canucks will be back in action following the two-week break tomorrow night, as they are set to take on the Vegas Golden Knights. Lankinen is expected to draw the start and could be in line for several more moving forward following the most recent injury to Demko. Through his 34 appearances this season, he owns a 19-8-7 record.