Lankinen’s new contract is the third deal the Canucks have finalized this month, after they extended new additions Marcus Pettersson (six years) and Drew O’Connor (two years).

A recent move by the Vancouver Canucks has left some groggy about what the future beholds for the team. Last week, the team signed goaltender Kevin Lankinen to a five-year contract extension.

What a difference a year can make. Heck, what a difference a week can make. At around this time last season, Thatcher Demko was solidifying a Vezina Trophy nomination, and the thought of anyone other than him holding down the starting duties for the Vancouver Canucks in the immediate future was ludicrous.

Demko’s placement on the IR will likely be made retroactive to Feb. 8. He left the Canucks’ game against the Toronto Maple Leafs after only 10 minutes due to a lower-body injury.