Canucks' Kevin Lankinen takes leave of absence; goalie recalled on emergency basis
Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen has left the team for personal reasons and will not be travelling, which has forced GM Patrik Allvin to make an emergency recall.
Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that goalie Kevin Lankinen will not travel with the team due to personal reasons and that goaltender Jiri Patera has been recalled from Abbotsford of the AHL under emergency conditions.
Patera is coming back to the team just a day after being sent down when the team decided to recall Nikita Tolopilo under emergency conditions.
The reason the Canucks recalled Nikita Tolopilo yesterday
The Canucks initially wanted Tolopilo to serve as the No. 2 behind Lankinen against the Ducks on Wednesday and give Patera some playing time in the AHL, since he has been sitting on the bench for some time. Those plans are now foiled.
Patera saw action in one game during his November stint with the Canucks, giving up seven goals on 40 shots (.825 save percentage) in a big loss to the Florida Panthers on November 17th.
Tolopilo was initially set to make his season debut versus either the Sharks or Kings on Friday or Saturday, respectively, but all signs point to him being the starter tomorrow when the team faces the Ducks.
Why Jiri Patera could see some action soon
This means Patera could see action on the weekend, depending on how long Lankinen's absence will be. If it's serious, Patera will be called upon quite a bit.
Tolopilo has yet to get into an NHL game this year, but in the AHL, he posted a 1-3-1 record and has a .901 save percentage in five outings with Abbotsford. The puck is set to be dropped at 10 PM PT in California on Wednesday.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 25 | 332 ANSWERS Canucks' Kevin Lankinen takes leave of absence; goalie recalled on emergency basis Is it time to go full rebuild mode now that the Canucks have lost both their starting goalies? | ||
| Yes | 263 | 79.2 % |
| No | 69 | 20.8 % |
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