The Vancouver Canucks will be digging even deeper into their goaltending reserves on this critical four-game road stretch. General manager Patrik Allvin confirmed that goalie Kevin Lankinen will not be traveling with the team “due to personal reasons.” This development arrives at a challenging moment, with Vancouver already deprived of Thatcher Demko as he works his way back from a lower-body issue suffered on Nov. 11 against Winnipeg. While Demko will reportedly be on the trip, head coach Adam Foote shared that he might not be ready for action. Lankinen had recently stepped up as the de facto starter and now his absence forces Vancouver to rearrange the goalie depth chart once again.With Lankinen away, the club has called up Jiri Patera from Abbotsford under emergency conditions. He joins fellow AHL goaltender Nikita Tolopilo, both now in position to serve behind Demko should he be able to suit up. The sudden shuffle reflects the urgent nature of the situation, and Vancouver hopes the transition will be smooth as they face Anaheim to open the trip.
Kevin Lankinen steps away from the Canucks
Kevin Lankinen has been a key force in Vancouver dating back to last season, when he emerged as one of the few bright spots in what many viewed as an underwhelming campaign. After arriving as a later off-season addition, he became crucial in Demko’s absence, appearing in 51 games with a 2.62 GAA and a .902 save percentage. Those numbers gave Vancouver stability during an otherwise turbulent season.This year has been a different story. Through 13 games, Lankinen has a 3.63 goals-against average and an .880 save percentage, reflecting a dip in rhythm that coincides with the team’s early-season inconsistency. Hockey can be as emotional as it is physical, and sometimes circumstances off the rink can disrupt the focus that elite goaltending requires. The organization’s decision to grant Lankinen space shows an understanding of that human side.For Vancouver to regroup and push back toward playoff relevance, they will eventually need both Lankinen and Demko healthy and mentally ready. If the pair can find last season’s calm and confidence again, the Canucks still possess enough core talent to steady the ship and spark a turnaround in the months ahead.Also Read: Alexandre Texier joins Canadiens in surprising $1 million deal that could quietly reshape Montreal’s center depth
