Canucks, Lankinen reach 5-year, $22.5M deal

The Vancouver Canucks and goaltender Kevin Lankinen agreed to a five-year, $22.5 million contract extension on Friday.

Lankinen, 29, has stepped up in place of the injured Thatcher Demko , posting a 19-8-7 record with four shutouts, a 2.53 goals-against average and .905 save percentage over 34 games this season.

That's quite the return on investment for Lankinen, who signed a one-year, $875,000 contract in September.

"Kevin has done a great job for us in net this season," Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said.

"Right from the start of the year, he has shown a strong desire to compete and a willingness to do whatever it takes to win hockey games.

A good leader and teammate, we wouldn't be in the position we are in right now without his strong play." Undrafted to begin his career, Lankinen has a 64-51-19 record with seven shutouts, a 2.94 GAA and .905 save percentage in 146 games with the Chicago Blackhawks , Nashville Predators and Canucks.

Lankinen represented his native Finland at the recent 4 Nations Face-Off..

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