I must admit that I was surprised to learn that former backup goalkeeper for the Nashville Predators, Kevin Lankinen, is still unsigned as an unrestricted free agent.
Although he played in far less games, Lankinen was undoubtedly one of the NHL’s best backup goalies last season. He even closely matched Juuse Saros’ season-long statistics.
The Predators had to let go of the reliable backup to Saros in free agency because they knew that Lankinen would look for a starting position elsewhere. Lankinen had earned it, after all, and the general consensus was that he would be given a chance to start.
How on earth is Kevin Lankinen still unsigned?
Though Lankinen still has time to find a team, it appears unlikely that he will be used more than once as a backup or added in case a team’s starting goalie sustains a serious injury.
Compared to regular starting goalies like Jake Oettinger, Jacob Markstrom, and even Juuse Saros, Lankinen’s save % was higher. Even though it wasn’t very high, his 2.82 GAA was superior to that of Andrei Vasilevskiy, Jordan Binnington, Alexander Georgiev, and Ilya Sorokin.
The question is: Why hasn’t Lankinen signed yet? I find it incomprehensible, and perhaps if the Predators front office had possessed a time machine, they could have persuaded Lankinen to remain in
his adoring stand-in for Saros.
Lankinen also demonstrated his ability to perform well under pressure and in demanding road environments. He had shutout victories on the road against the eventual Stanley Cup winner Florida Panthers, at Vegas, at Dallas twice, at Carolina, at Edmonton, and at Vegas.
In my opinion, Scott Wedgewood is a minor downgrade from Lankinen, even though he will be a good backup to Saros in the following season. However, he is also less expensive, making $1.5 million year as opposed to Lankinen’s $2 million, and if he had stayed, he would have received a rise. The Predators had to make some financial sacrifices in that area and were unable to pay backups more than $2 million.
Along with Lankinen, there are presently three more UFA goalies available: Martin Jones, Carter Hart, and Antti Raanta. a short list, and these three men most likely won’t be able to find a new squad until later in the season. After training camp, if an organisation decides they don’t like their goaltender position, Lankinen might get a call from a different team.
Lankinen has just 29 years of age. He still has a lot of terrific hockey left in him, and one day he will be useful to a squad. Anticipate him to return on a one-year contract, auditioning for a starting job once more. It still amazes me that it hasn’t happened yet.
Signing Lankinen would be a wise move for a young, developing team lacking a proven goaltender, if only as a seasoned backup to their inexperienced starter. The Sharks and Blue Jackets, for example, have a tonne of cap room and could easily sign Lankinen. Two teams that have also been connected to a potential move for Yaroslav Askarov.
Tyson Barrie is another Predators UFA who is still up for grabs after the front management elected not to resign him. There have been rumours that teams are only marginally interested in adding the veteran to their roster as a seventh defenseman.
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