Former Nashville Predator Kevin Lankinen is Top Free Agent Goalie Left on Market

Five UFA goalies remain for teams to still sign for next season, former Nashville Predators backup Kevin Lankinen being one of them. There are slim pickings, but most of the organizations already have their top three goalies.

While Lankinen is arguably the best goalie still available to be signed, whatever situation he finds himself in won't exactly be ideal after having to wait weeks at the very least to get picked up by a team. The other goalies that have gone unsigned to this point are Antti Raanta, Ivan Prosvetov, Martin Jones, and Carter Hart.

Lankinen is an NHL goalie, that is for certain. He finished last season with a 11-6-0 record, 2.82 GAA, .908 SV%, and one shutout. He had the best SV% of the group of five and second-best GAA last season, trailing only Hart by 0.02 GAA.

Lankinen's 2022-23 season was even more impressive as he had a 2.75 GAA, .916 SV%, and 61% of his starts were quality starts. He has clearly been the backup behind Juuse Saros, but many goalies would be as Nashville has an elite starter capable of playing a ton of games.

Related: Kings Should Sign Lankinen to Challenge Former Predators Backup for Backup Role

After consecutive strong seasons in net, the 29-year-old Lankinen was likely hoping to get a better opportunity to start more than 20 games. He is more than capable of doing so as he started 37 games with the Chicago Blackhawks in his rookie season in 2020-21.

Lankinen has the capabilities of being a backup as he's shown over the past couple of seasons, but in getting out from behind Saros' shadow, he might've had the opportunity to split time with another goalie or get a real chance at starting a good amount of games next season or the season after. There hasn't been much indication whether he has received interest, but he definitely should.

In 2023-24, many teams had three goalies under contract who had previous NHL experience, whether the team held three on their NHL roster or the third-string goalie was in the minors to begin the season. A number of teams used their third-string goalie to replace an injured netminder or to step up when there were struggles.

At this point, Lankinen may have to be a third goalie signed to a team and win over the backup role in training camp or wait for his opportunity. The longer he goes unsigned, the better the deal can be for the NHL team that signs him.

Lankinen has the edge on Hart and Jones, the two closest free agent goalies to him. There are obvious reserves about signing Hart and it's likely he won't play in the NHL next season. Jones, on the other hand, was the Toronto Maple Leafs' third-string goalie last season and was one of the aforementioned goalies to step up due to struggles in net and injuries. He is also five years older than Lankinen though.

Raanta had season-long struggles last season and is nearing the end of his career after putting up a .872 SV% with the very good Carolina Hurricanes. Aa for Prosvetov, he is young and has some potential, but didn't show great stuff last season for the Colorado Avalanche and he was overtaken.

It is unfortunate for Lankinen that he went out and tried to get a larger role and no team has taken him on yet. It will be shocking if next season starts and Lankinen isn't isn't on an NHL roster, but I believe he will be the next goalie signed regardless.

Recent Predators News

Nashville Predators' Spencer Stastney Receives Arbitration Award

Nashville Predators Have 3 of the Top 50 Scorers in the 2020s

Juuse Saros' Lack of Playoff Success Saved Nashville Predators Millions on Contract

Friends, Teammates, Countrymen: Carrier, Lauzon Make Effective Partnership on Predators' Blue Line

Related: Grading the Organizational Depth Additions of the Nashville Predators