The Future Number One: Blackhawks’ Kevin Lankinen is the long-term solution in net

Photo Courtesy of Glenn James/NHL via Getty Images

The Corey Crawford era in Chicago came with two Stanley Cups, two All-Star appearances, and a storybook ending with a stellar 2020 postseason performance. Since then, the Blackhawks have yet to replace the fan favorite long-term.

Last season, the Blackhawks had an inexperienced netminder mess in the crease. During the pandemic-shortened season, Chicago rolled with a trio of goaltenders with Kevin Lankinen, Malcolm Subban and Collin Delia. Subban got the season opener against the Tampa Bay Lightning and was shelled due to a potent Lightning offense combined with a porous Blackhawks defense. Following the rout, the Blackhawks turned to Delia to make consecutive starts against the Lightning and the Florida Panthers. Delia’s results were the equivalent of black licorice — terrible.

Before Chicago fans could say that the season was lost, Finland native Kevin Lankinen came to the rescue following a solid NHL debut against a stout Florida Panthers team.

Since his debut, Lankinen never looked back. He occupied the net for the majority of last season, making 37 starts and posting a 17-14-5 record, a 3.01 GAA and a .909 save percentage in his rookie campaign.

Lankinen was the main reason why Chicago remained in the playoff hunt for the majority of last season despite his minimal fall-off toward the end of the season.

Heading into this season, Lankinen was destined for the starting job. However, former general manager Stan Bowman changed course and accelerated the Blackhawks rebuild by trading for future Hall of Famer Marc-Andre Fleury.

However, with the Blackhawks’ playoff chances diminishing and Fleury signing another deal with Chicago becoming more far-fetched after this season, Lankinen taking on a more significant role with the team next year and the foreseeable future is likely.

The Blackhawks have one goalie under contract for next season, Arvid Söderblom. While the Swede has a future in the NHL due to his impressive development on the Rockford IceHogs, the Blackhawks affiliate team, Chicago shouldn’t toss the 22-year-old to the wolves with no one else nearly ready to back him up between the pipes.

As a result, the Blackhawks front office should sign Lankinen to a long-term deal following the season’s conclusion. Despite Lankinen’s numbers taking a significant dip (2-5-3, 3.43 GAA,.884), the Finn appears to fulfill the eye test. He doesn’t allow many soft goals, he’s quick to react, he’s athletic, and most importantly, he’s had a great mentor this season in Fleury.

With Lankinen soaking in the three-time Stanley Cup champion’s teaching moments, Lankinen is bound to have a successful career with the Blackhawks.

While Lankinen has been far from perfect this season, there’s a lot of hockey left to be played for his number to earn the starting nod in net despite only getting six starts since October 30.

Once the season ends, Lankinen will have had a significant amount of time with Fleury to learn, develop and figure out what it means to be an elite goaltender in the NHL. As a result, Lankinen will be the solution in net for Chicago next season, and the foreseeable future as Söderbolm and Drew Commesso continue to develop and improve their game, along with Chicago continuing to rebuild around Alex DeBrincat and Seth Jones.