The Vancouver Canucks and goaltender Kevin Lankinen agreed to a five-year, $22.5 million contract extension Friday, with an average annual value of $4.5 million.
After signing a one-year, $875,000 deal Sept. 21 as a free agent, Lankinen has stepped up in place of the injured Thatcher Demko, already setting career highs with 19 victories and four shutouts.
Lankinen, 29, is 19-8-7 with a 2.53 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage in 34 games. He also became the first goalie in NHL history to start a season 10-0-0 on the road.
“Obviously, a good reward for all the hard work I kind of put in ever since I started playing hockey when I was 3 years old,” Lankinen said. “I’m…