Canucks Rumors: Kevin Lankinen Turns Down Canucks' PTO Offer

The Vancouver Canucks are dealing with a lot of uncertainty in their goaltending situation ahead of the 2024-25 season, with both Thatcher Demko and Arturs Silovs facing injury concerns. 

Demko, a Vezina Trophy finalist, is recovering from a knee injury that has left his availability for training camp and the start of the season in doubt. 

Silovs, who impressed during the playoffs, is also sidelined with knee inflammation. 

As a result, the Canucks are exploring ways to bolster their goaltending depth to ensure stability if neither goaltender is ready when the season begins.

According to Dhaliwal, Canucks are playing the waiting game with Kevin Lankinen. Seeing if the pressure of time would make the two come to an agreement without putting Poolman on LTIR.

— BuckFoston (@BuckFoston_) September 13, 2024

One of their main targets is free agent Kevin Lankinen, who has spent the past two seasons backing up Juuse Saros in Nashville. 

The Canucks have reportedly approached Lankinen with a professional tryout (PTO) offer, but negotiations have stalled as Lankinen is holding out for a full contract. 

Vancouver has limited cap space, with just $190,833 available, and while placing defenseman Tucker Poolman on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) could free up more room, the team prefers to preserve that option for later in the season. 

Despite this, the Canucks are hoping that Lankinen will reconsider their PTO offer as training camp draws closer.

"The #Canucks pursuit of Lankinen has not stopped.."@DhaliwalSports updates the latest with the #Canucks interest in goaltender Kevin Lankinen.https://t.co/h4e2SKM7eJ pic.twitter.com/0xLCscDaoq

— Donnie & Dhali (@DonnieandDhali) September 13, 2024

If a deal with Lankinen cannot be reached, the Canucks have backup plans in place. 

They are considering other veteran goaltenders, such as Antti Raanta and Martin Jones, potentially on PTOs.

Photo Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images