Former Blackhawks goaltender could work his way into a No. 1 role this season

The Chicago Blackhawks, like many rebuilding teams in the NHL’s past, have seen a lot of change in its roster over the past few seasons. This is to be expected since rebuilding organizations actively try to replace those suiting up for them short-term in an attempt to build a winner. 

Most of these players will do nothing with their respective NHL careers; if they made little, if any, impact with a losing team, do they really have much value to give? The answer is no unless that player goes elsewhere and redeems themselves. 

This was the case with Kevin Lankinen, who didn’t enjoy his most memorable seasons with the ailing Blackhawks. But over the last two years, he made for an incredible stand-in when he was a supplement to Juuse Saros, playing in 43 games and starting 35 of them. 

In that frame, Lankinen recorded a shutout, a 0.912 save percentage, a 2.79 GAA, and a 0.571 quality starts percentage. Sure, the Nashville Predators were in a better situation than the Blackhawks, but you can argue the Vancouver Canucks are in even better shape; they just need a goaltender. 

Former Blackhawks goaltender could be the No. 1 in Vancouver

As you know, Canucks stalwart Thatcher Demko may not be ready to begin the season as the top goaltender in British Columbia, thanks to an injury that has yet to properly heal. Failing to address the situation would leave Vancouver with no proven talent at netminder, and it’s not what one of the league’s better teams needs to start the season. 

Instead, there’s been talk about the Canucks going after the proven Lankinen, who, by the time you read this, might just be on his way to Vancouver. This doesn’t mean Lankinen will automatically get the No. 1 role with the Canucks, as he’ll have to fend off Arturs Silovs, who was the team’s primary netminder when Demko and Casey DeSmith went down with injuries in the playoffs last season.

Still, Lankinen proved that, with a good team, he can be a solid No. 1 option until Demko’s ready to return, whenever that time may be. For now, keep an eye out for him to sign with the Canucks, and again, he could be in the blue and green by the time you read this piece. If that’s the case, I like the Canucks chances more with a proven talent like Lankinen as opposed to the unproven commodity in Silovs.