Update: The Canucks have officially signed Lankinen to a one-year contract worth $875,000.

The Vancouver Canucks have long been connected with unrestricted free agent goaltender Kevin Lankinen, and according to a new report by Vancouver hockey insider Rick Dhaliwal, their interest has only increased with time.

On Saturday afternoon, Dhaliwal took to Twitter and quote tweeted a clip from his Donnie & Dhali show with the text: “Update today: I believe the Canucks’ interest in Lankinen is picking up!”

Lankinen, 29, posted an 11-6-0 record, one shutout, and a .908 save percentage in 24 games with the Nashville Predators during the 2023-24 regular season. The Helsinki, Finland product stands 6’2″ and weighs in at 190 pounds.

The Canucks have been in the market for an additional goaltender over the past few weeks amidst concerns about the health of both Thatcher Demko and Arturs Silovs. While Silovs looks to be mostly ready to go as the Canucks’ 2024-25 season opener looms, Demko’s status is far less certain.

Demko, who was named a Vezina Trophy finalist last season, addressed the media directly during the first day of the Canucks’ training camp at South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, discussing what he described as his “rare” and “unique” injury.

Lankinen made his NHL debut with the Chicago Blackhawks as an undrafted European free agent signing in the 2020-21 season, posting a 17-14-5 record and a .909 save percentage in 37 games behind an otherwise defensively suspect Chicago team. He spent two years in Chicago to begin his NHL career before playing two more in Nashville as the primary backup to Juuse Saros.

Through 112 career games over four seasons with the Blackhawks and Predators, Lankinen has put together a 45-43-12 record, three shutouts, and a .905 save percentage. The Finnish goaltender has yet to play a game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs during his NHL career.

The Canucks did invite former Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Dylan Ferguson to their training camp on a PTO, although they moved him down into Group C for their most recent on-ice sessions in Penticton. Beyond Demko and Silovs, the Canucks also have Jiri Patera under contract for the next two seasons.