Two free agent goaltenders refuse to sign with the Vancouver Canucks
Photo credit: Nashville Predators
Two free agent goaltenders refused to sign with the Vancouver Canucks this summer.
Even though the Canucks are coming off a great season, they still struggle to attract players.
Indeed, with Thatcher Demko injured and possibly missing quite some time this season, the organization is looking for a netminder to help the team repeat what they accomplished last year.
They made offers to two free-agent goalies in recent weeks, and both players turned them down.
Both Antti Raanta and Kevin Lankinen didn't want to sign with the Canucks.
Raanta, 35, moved back to Europe and doesn't want to compete for a lineup spot only to end up playing most of the year in the AHL anymore.
He confided in a Finnish outlet, saying:
"I knocked it down right away and announced that I've kind of made up my mind that I won't be going there anymore," said Raanta, as per Ilta-Sanomat (translated from Finnish). "A few hours later, suddenly I was on a Zoom call with (goalkeeping coach) Marko Torenius and the general manager. It would have been more of a trial."
"There is no such thing as a fire anymore, that I would go there tooth and nail to fight for a place."
"The role of second or third goaltender and possibly playing in the AHL was on offer. It's not necessarily the case of playing up to 60 games in the AHL at the age of 35 and just waiting for maybe someone to fail or get injured, then you'll be in trouble."
"There is no such thing as a fire anymore, that I would go there tooth and nail to fight for a place."
"The role of second or third goaltender and possibly playing in the AHL was on offer. It's not necessarily the case of playing up to 60 games in the AHL at the age of 35 and just waiting for maybe someone to fail or get injured, then you'll be in trouble."
Lankinen had another reason to turn them down. According to Puck Empire, the Canucks offered him a one-year contract under $1M, and the goalie wants more.
While both goalies weren't the ideal options to replace Demko while he recovers from his injury, the Canucks need to find someone if they don't want to be forced to send an AHLer between the pipes for the season.
Source: Puck Empire on Instagram
| POLL | ||
15 SEPTEMBRE | 35 ANSWERS Two free agent goaltenders refuse to sign with the Vancouver Canucks Do you think the Vancouver Canucks can make the playoffs this season without Thatcher Demko? | ||
| Yes | 14 | 40 % |
| No | 21 | 60 % |
| List of polls | ||
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