The Canucks claimed goalie Leevi Meriläinen off waivers from Ottawa on Friday, with Thatcher Demko set to open the season on injured reserve.
The Canucks used their top waiver priority on the claim, and they keep that spot until November 1 regardless of how many claims they make.
The team says Demko is "cautiously progressing." That still leaves an $8,500,000 cap hit on the sidelines to start the year.
Kevin Lankinen projects as the starter, with the newcomer behind him, barring another injury.
Lankinen made 25 saves on 28 shots in Saturday's 4-3 win over Seattle.
So what does this mean for Nikita Tolopilo?
Canucks make smart goalie addition before season opener in Edmonton
He's almost certainly headed to waivers before opening day, according to CanucksArmy.
Vancouver's general manager all but ruled out a three-goalie setup, calling that system "complicated for everybody and more so for the goalies themselves."
Meriläinen posted a .925 save percentage in 12 games for Ottawa in 2024-25.
He also recorded three shutouts that season, and he posted a .913 save percentage over 37 AHL games with Belleville.
Last season was rougher. He finished with an .860 save percentage in 20 NHL games.
He carries a $1,100,000 cap hit and becomes a restricted free agent after this season.
This is a smart claim. A 24-year-old goalie with that 2024-25 run on his resume is worth a roster spot on a team that just put its highest-paid goalie on IR.
Claiming a goalie off waivers is like buying an umbrella the morning it starts raining. You don't ask where it's been, you're just glad to stay dry.
The Senators drafted him 71st overall in 2020, and he spent parts of four seasons in their organization.
Per CanucksArmy, the claim also cost the Canucks a $67,500 waiver fee, which doesn't count against the cap.
The Canucks finished the preseason 1-3-0 and open Tuesday in Edmonton.
If Meriläinen wobbles, the Canucks can't simply send him down. He'd have to go back through waivers, and 31 other teams would get their own shot at him.
Was claiming Leevi Meriläinen the right move for the Canucks with Thatcher Demko on IR?
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