Free agent goaltender Kevin Lankinen shockingly rejects Canadian team

The Canucks are in a tough spot with their goaltending situation. Thatcher Demko is recovering from an injury he sustained last season, which is not fixable with surgery. He will need physical therapy and will have to manage the injury for the rest of his career. It's still unclear how serious the injury is or if Demko can perform at his best, but he likely won't be ready for the start of the season. This leaves the team in need of another goalie.

Antti Raanta was a potential option, but he recently announced that he will be returning to Europe, effectively ending his NHL career. The Canucks then turned to Kevin Lankinen, but negotiations haven't gone smoothly. The team reportedly offered Lankinen a league-minimum deal, but he declined, seeking a salary of at least $1 million for next season.

Given Lankinen's performance last season, where he posted an 11-6-0 record with a .908 save percentage with the Nashville Predators, a $1 million contract isn't unreasonable. However, the Canucks are tight on cap space, so every dollar matters.

While few teams are looking for a goaltender this late in the offseason, Lankinen may still have to consider the Canucks' offer. Stay tuned to see if he changes his mind in the coming days.