The Vancouver Canucks have made a significant move, reaching a mutual agreement with the Florida Panthers to trade 28-year-old goaltender Thatcher Demko in exchange for an experienced netminder. This development comes as the Canucks face uncertainty about Demko’s availability for the upcoming season.
Last week, the Canucks received troubling news about Demko’s health. According to reports from The Athletic’s Rick Dhaliwal and Thomas Drance, Demko will miss training camp and the preseason due to a lingering injury. While the Canucks hope to have the 2024 Vezina Trophy finalist ready for their season opener against the Calgary Flames on October 9, there is no guarantee that he will be back in time.
In light of Demko’s uncertain status, the Canucks have been exploring the goalie market to bolster their depth. Reports suggest that Vancouver has shown interest in free-agent goaltender Kevin Lankinen, who played as a backup for the Nashville Predators last season. The 29-year-old Lankinen posted a 9-8-1 record with a 2.75 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage in the 2022-23 season. His solid performance was a key factor in helping the Predators reach the playoffs.
Lankinen could be a strong candidate to serve as Demko’s backup in Vancouver, especially if the Canucks decide to give playoff hero Arturs Silovs another season in the AHL for further development. However, signing Lankinen could be challenging due to Vancouver’s tight salary cap situation. Lankinen’s previous contract carried a $2-million cap hit, and the Canucks may need to create cap space by placing sidelined defenseman Tucker Poolman and his $2.5-million cap hit on long-term injured reserve (LTIR).
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The Canucks have also been linked to other free-agent goaltenders, including Antti Raanta and Martin Jones, though Lankinen appears to be the preferred option. Another trade possibility could involve Filip Gustavsson of the Minnesota Wild, though the Wild’s cap constraints and potential three-goalie system with Marc-Andre Fleury and Jesper Wallstedt make such a move complex.
As the Canucks prepare for the upcoming season, the acquisition of an experienced goaltender in exchange for Demko could be a pivotal moment, ensuring they remain competitive while addressing their goaltending depth concerns.
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