Latest news with #NationsFace-Off
NBC Sports
24-04-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
USA Hockey men's world championship team: Jeremy Swayman among NHL All-Stars on roster
The first 18 players on the U.S. men's hockey roster for next month's world championship tournament include four who have made an NHL All-Star team: goalie Jeremy Swayman and forwards Matty Beniers (2022 Olympian), Clayton Keller and Tage Thompson. The full list of players is here. More skaters can still be added. Worlds start May 9. The Boston Bruins' Swayman is the lone player from the initial 18 who was on the 4 Nations Face-Off team from February. Fifteen of the 23 players from the final 4 Nations Face-Off roster are currently unavailable for worlds because their teams are in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Players whose teams are eliminated from the playoffs could be added to the U.S. roster for worlds at a later date. The U.S. head coach is the San Jose Sharks' Ryan Warsofsky. Swayman, 26, was the unused third goalie at 4 Nations behind Connor Hellebuyck and Jake Oettinger, whose teams are both in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Swayman's save percentage and goals-against average both declined from 2023-24 to 24-25, so his showing at worlds could significantly affect his chances to make the Olympic team. The U.S. was eliminated from worlds in the quarterfinals last year. The Americans were fourth at worlds in 2022 and 2023 and have made the semifinals 12 times since the IIHF reinstituted a bracketed playoff round in 1992. Their best finish in that span is third place overall. The U.S.' last silver at worlds came in 1950. Its lone gold at a standalone worlds came in 1933. The U.S. has already qualified for the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, where NHL players are expected to participate for the first time since the 2014 Sochi Games. The U.S. head coach for the Olympics is the Pittsburgh Penguins' Mike Sullivan. Nick Zaccardi,
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
How Canucks' Kevin Lankinen Turned A Prove-It Deal Into A Five-Year Extension
Vancouver Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen signed the biggest contract extension of his NHL career on Friday after being a late-summer signing before the season. The Vancouver Canucks announced they signed Lankinen to a five-year contract worth $4.5 million per season fresh off the 4 Nations Face-Off. The Finnish goaltender became a UFA last off-season after a steady two-year stint with the Nashville Predators. He was without a contract as NHL training camps began. Last season, Lankinen recorded a 2.82 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage, including one shutout and an 11-6-0 record as the backup to Juuse Saros. He eventually signed a one-year deal with the Canucks on Sept. 21 for $875,000. The 29-year-old backstopped the Canucks while Vancouver's starting goalie, Thatcher Demko, missed the first two months of the season with injury. Even after Demko returned on Dec. 10, Lankinen's played 14 games compared to Demko's 17. Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that the club has agreed to terms with goaltender Kevin Lankinen on a 5-year contract extension with a $4.5M | — Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) February 21, 2025 Demko's availability is in question again. After stopping six shots in 10 minutes, he was forced to give the net to Lankinen due to a lower-body injury that is considered week-to-week. Lankinen has a .905 save percentage and a 2.53 goals-against average in 34 games. His four shutouts are tied for second-best in the NHL as well. Demko, meanwhile, has a 2.87 goals-against average and a .891 save percentage. Lankinen's play this season was not only impressive enough to earn this new contract that will kick in next season, but he also earned a spot in the 4 Nations Face-Off to represent Finland with Saros. After Saros allowed six goals in Finland's first game against the USA, Lankinen played against Sweden and stopped 21 of 24 shots in an overtime win. He also got the start against Team Canada but was pulled after four goals on 13 shots. Vancouver's tandem of Demko and Lankinen will have at least one more season together as Demko approaches the final year of his contract next season. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on
