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Canadian Team's Goaltender Has Just Rejected Latest Contract Offer: Future In Jeopardy

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Daniel Lucente
February 20, 2025  (4:26 PM)
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Vancouver Canucks GM Patrik Allvin seen talking to the media
Photo credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen was recently offered a contract by the team, but it was reported that he rejected it, leaving his future very cloudy.

The Vancouver Canucks made a contract offer to goalie Kevin Lankinen recently, which he turned down, per Rick Dhaliwal of 'Donnie & Dhali'. Lankinen inked a one-year, $875,000 contract with the Canucks in late September.

"The Canucks were very aggressive in the first week of January, trying to sign Lankinen. They made what sources say, a very solid offer, term and money. Some say the offer was over $3 million a year. It was rejected. At that time, agent Todd Diamond wanted to see what the salary cap would be this summer. He's got that number. Now, talks have been pretty quiet.

"Here's some contracts I want you to look at. Logan Thompson, $5.8 million a year, Mackenzie Blackwood, $5.2 [million], Joey decor, $5.2 [million], Ukko-Pekka Lukkonnen, $4.7 [million]. Where does Lankinen belong in that group? I'm saying that there's been some goalie sign this year that have changed the goalie market. Outside of Blackwood, all have similar games played experience.

"Here's the key [Thatcher] Demko, four injuries in a year. The Canucks cannot go cheap with the backup goalie position next year, Donnie, they got to spend money. They're clearly going to have to go outside of their comfort zone to sign Lankinen.

"My feeling is it's going to be hard to resign Lankinen, and if the final number is not more in line with those recent deals I just talked about.

"But I get the Canucks credit here. January 1 was when you could sign Lankinen. They got to him right away and made a good offer.

"But I will say this, the Canucks absolutely love Lankinen. He is well liked with his teammates, Rick Tocchet loves him. The goalie coach [Marko Torenius] is his goalie coach in Finland. So everything fits. Everything fits in Vancouver, for Lankin, but it looks like, right now, there's a gap in the money."


The 29-year-old has recorded his best professional season in Vancouver, compiling a 19-8-7 record with a 2.53 goals-against average, a .905 save percentage, and four shutouts. His solid play got him named to Team Finland for the 4 Nations Face-off.

Starting the tournament behind Juuse Saros, Lankinen became the starter after Saros faltered in the first game of the 4 Nations. He then blocked 21 of 24 shots in a 4-3 overtime victory over Sweden.

Lankinen didn't look very good against Team Canada

However, in a do-or-die matchup with Canada, he gave up four goals prior to being yanked in the second period.

During injured Thatcher Demko's absence, Lankinen has been the cornerstone of Vancouver's playoff hopes. Canucks GM Patrik Allvin has a decision to make: try to re-sign Lankinen or deal him on the market prior to the March 7 deadline.

Vancouver's next game is on February 22 against the Vegas Golden Knights.

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Canadian Team's Goaltender Has Just Rejected Latest Contract Offer: Future In Jeopardy

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