3 Destinations For Blackhawks Goaltender Kevin Lankinen
Kevin Lankinen is coming up to a expiring contract and being a unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2021-22 season, with his rough time in the Blackhawks sweater in the last little while it seems as if the Blackhawks will be looking into a veteran goalie with more experience and Lankinen will be out the door. Here are some destinations that just make sense:
1. St.Louis Blues:
Signing Jordan Binnington to a lengthy $6,000,000 contract is one of their franchises worst mistakes in quite some time, the 28 year old goaltender that has been declining ever since being paid is taking up 7.4% of the teams total salary all the way until the 2026-2027 season. A younger Villie Husso has outperformed Binnington and is still on a cheap $750,000 cap hit, until the end of this season that is until he will expect a $5,000,000 + contract as deserved. Lankinen will be a great alternative.
2. Philadelphia Flyers:
Carter Hart is the future in goal for the Philadelphia Flyers but has yet to prove that since his rookie breakout season, the Flyers need a solid backbone to fall off on as it is more often then enough that Carter Hart has a off game. Their current backup is Martin Jones who's contract will expire after this season, he has done solid for the team but his time is due to go elsewhere or to a possible contender as he is playing his last few seasons in the NHL. Lankinen would be a great fit into the Flyers mixed aged system, and a strong defense core once Ryan Ellis is fully healthy will help Lankinen thrive.
3. Tampa Bay Lighting:
The current tandem of Vasilevskiy-Elliot has been doing great, but Brian Elliot's contract will be expiring at the end of the season. Their has also been rumours of him heading elsewhere, and one of the landing spots are back to his former team the St.Louis Blues or the Philadelphia Flyers. Lankinen at times will be one of the only reasons the Blackhawks games are still in reach, and with a much better D core of Hedman, Cernak, Bogosian, Sergachev and more will give Lankinen the confidence he deserves to excel his game.
Potential Teams: Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins.
| POLL | ||
Where would you rather see Lankinen go? | ||
| Tampa | 25 | 21.6 % |
| Philly | 30 | 25.9 % |
| Toronto | 21 | 18.1 % |
| Other | 40 | 34.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
