Kevin Lankinen’s turnabout from last year to a five-year, $22.5 million deal with the Vancouver Canucks is simply unbelievable. Last year, he could barely catch a break, signing a one-year, $875,000 deal with the Canucks at the tail end of the off-season. Now, off the back of a standout season with the Canucks, he’s morphed into an essential part of the team. And the front office didn’t think twice about committing to him long-term.

This deal comes after the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, during which he was in net for Finland. But it’s his numbers this year for Vancouver that say it all—34 games, a 19-8-7 record, 2.53 goals-against average, and a .905 save percentage. More than the numbers, he’s provided the required solidity in the Canucks’ net while Thatcher Demko dealt with injury. As Demko fought to regain fitness, Lankinen ascended to the challenge, showing he was up for the job of being a No. 1 goaltender.

Before joining the Canucks, Lankinen battled to earn each and every position. A product of the undrafted path in the NHL, he transitioned from an entry-level contract in 2018 with the Chicago Blackhawks to a Nashville reserve position before finding himself in Vancouver. Last off-season, the Canucks signed him as what appeared to be a stopgap. Rather than merely bridging the gap, he outplayed Arturs Silovs and settled into the starting position. His four shutouts and consistent play made the decision to give him an extension easy enough to the Canucks’ top brass.

A crucial signing for the Canucks’ future

The Lankinen addition isn’t so much about rewarding good play—though he’s proven himself to be a good goaltender—about protecting the Canucks from the unpredictability of the health of Thatcher Demko. The team’s No. 1 goaltender missed multiple seasons, and the team searched for solidity on the net, as Demko’s injury problems are anything but ordinary. The Canucks’ star goaltender battled through a novel issue in the popliteus muscle, a knee condition that is highly obscure, even to the experts.

According to expert goaltending consultant Kevin Woodley, the problem first appeared in the 2024 playoffs and continues to trouble him, leaving his long-term toughness in question. Demko did show signs in camp he’s making progress, but there’s still no timeline in the picture, as rehab from this type of injury could differ from weeks to many weeks. The front office in the Canucks, unwilling to roll the dice another year at goaltending instability, acted expeditiously to get Lankinen in the fold as a steady solution—whether in a goaltending tandem or the man to turn to in the event Demko’s problems persist.

Financially, the extension makes sense. For a $4.5 million AAV, the contract’s a good investment for a guy who’s already proven himself this season. If he continues to play at this pace or even improves, the contract could be a steal in a few years. The toughness and steady play give the Canucks a security net, something they’ve lacked for years.

With Lankinen locked up, the Canucks have goaltending sorted for the immediate future. He’s earned his money by proving he’s a steady, dependable starter in the NHL. Now the Canucks are close to the playoffs, and everyone’s waiting to see if he’s going to help push them through.