1.) Kevin Lankinen
Kevin Lankinen is not a familiar name for most. The Finnish netminder plied his trade in relative obscurity in Nashville the last two seasons and tended the goal for a poor Blackhawks team the two seasons before that.
He’d be a nice acquisition for the Avalanche. Here’s why. First off, Lankinen has been a serviceable goaltender for a few years now, both as a starter and as a backup. He posted seasons of .916 and then .908 save percentage while backing up Saros in Nashville the last two seasons, and saw extended action in Chicago, playing 69 games and accumulating a .901 save percentage there.
The Avalanche have not exactly had trustworthy goaltending the past two seasons and adding an experienced veteran like Lankinen can push current incumbent Alexandar Georgiev to improve. If he does not, and the brass believes Justus Annunen is the answer, then Lankinen can take on a mentor type role as a backup. The other option is that Lankinen outperforms them both and earns the starting job out of training camp.
Lankinen is Finnish like Annunen and they share similar physical characteristics, with Annunen being a bit taller. Lankinen may be better able to connect with Annunen and guide him than a non-Finnish goalie can.
Lankinen is also familiar with the central division. He’s played his entire career in the division and it’s likely the Avalanche are familiar with him and his abilities. Avalanche brass won’t hesitate to address the goaltending position, as well they should. Bringing in a player of Lankinen’s caliber is a wise, low-risk decision that could reap huge benefits.