Kevin Lankinen Stinks, Is NOT The Blackhawks Goalie Of The Future
When the Blackhawks traded Marc-Andre Fleury, it was supposed to open up more playing time for Kevin Lankinen to get more run in net. Lankinen started more than a handful of games as a rookie a season ago, but at this point, I’m not sure we need more clarity on the situation. The guy stinks. Chicago should probably look elsewhere for their goalie of the future.
The lack of a reliable goalie only pushes Chicago further into the rebuild process. They’re already one of the worst teams in the league and the tear down hasn’t started yet. Yes, the Hawks defense is brutal. It’s no surprise that Fleury has been better with Minnesota. While team defense is important, Lankinen is doing a better job helping Chicago tank than helping his own future.
Lankinen, 26, is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. At this point, his list of suitors may as well include the Shanghai Sharks. I’m not sure the San Jose Sharks would actually want him and that’s saying something. Lankinen is currently sporting an ugly .887 save percentage which is probably unplayable.
The underlying numbers on Lankinen have been even worse. His quality save percentage is .316. Yikes. Use whatever number you want. -13.8 for GSAA ain’t it. Lankinen has essentially been the worst goaltender not named Philipp Grubauer and that’s probably because he doesn’t have enough starts to surpass him.
Kevin Lankinen isn’t the guy. The dude sucks. Weirder things can happen and Lankinen is expected to finish the season as the Blackhawks’ starter. When the rebuild is complete, it won’t be Lankinen to resurrect this franchise from the scandalous shady present outlook.
