NHL Rumors: Insider claims Vancouver Canucks eyeing long-term contract with Kevin Lankinen

Kevin Lankinen has been one of the few bright spots in what's been a tumultuous 2024-25 campaign so far in Vancouver. The 29-year-old goaltender signed a one-year, $850,000 contract with the Canucks just three weeks prior to the start of the season. The front office is certainly glad they did so.

Through the first 42 games that saw injuries to Thatcher Demko and Quinn Hughes, drama between Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller, and constant trade rumors, Lankinen has been the one consistent for the Canucks.

His play appears to have general manager Patrik Alviin interested in a longer-term commitment. Here is what Rick Dhaliwal had to say today on the "DonnieandDhali" show.

"I believe right now, Don, the Canucks would like to do this deal sooner than later, but if you're linking in, there are factors to consider. We don't know. The salary cap, where is he going to go up? By how much?

"How much more money will teams have to play with on July 1, the NHL and the NHL PA are scheduled to discuss this in February, around the time of the Four Nations tournament. There is Demko and his durability."

He continued:

"If Demko keeps getting hurt, Lankinen's worth for the Canucks will be more and then there is this, if Lankinen keeps playing like he is playing, lights out, his price is just going to keep going up, league-wide," Dhaliwal said.

"We don't know, how about if Demko goes coast to coast and doesn't get hurt, and the Canucks feel like and they can talk to Demko's agent about a new deal on July 1st, Don and they can sign long-term. There's a lot of factors to consider, but it looks like Lankinen's camp, Don, will take a cautious and patient approach to see if they are going to resign," he added.

It's possible that a contract extension could well surpass Kevin Lankinen's current bargain of a deal that pays him close to the league minimum.

Kevin Lankinen has been tremendous for the Canucks amid Thatcher Demko's injury issues

It's hard to imagine where the Canucks would be right now without Kevin Lankinen. With star goalie Thatcher Demko sidelined on multiple occasions due to knee and back injuries, Lankinen has carried the load.

In 28 starts, he's gone 16-7-6, with a 2.51 goals-against average, a .906 save percentage, and a whopping four shutouts already. Those numbers have the Finnish net-minder sitting in a tie for second in the NHL in shutouts, only behind Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets.

His current goals-against average is the best mark of his five-year career, and his four shutouts are double his previous best of two back in 2021-2022.

Though Demko has now returned from a back injury, Kevin Lankinen figures to see plenty of starts the rest of the way for his strong performance and show of durability.

He and the Canucks are in Winnipeg on Tuesday night for an all-Canadian matchup with the Jets. The puck drops at 8 p.m. EST at Canada Life Centre.