“Swedish newspaper Expressen is reporting that the Vancouver Canucks have signed free agent goaltender Eddie Lack.
The 6’2” 22-year-old played with Brynas in the Swedish Elite League last season, backing up the league’s best goalie in Jacob Markstrom.” (Source: TSN)
This gives the Canucks another goaltending prospect to compete for the back-up role behind Luongo. Cory Schneider has been less then impressive when he’s had the opportunity to play this season, with a 3.81 GAA and a .915 save % while failing to record a win in two outings. Last season wasn’t much better for Schneider, with 2 wins in 8 starts and a 3.38 GAA with a .877 save%.
The fans in Vancouver will need to be patient with Lack, much like the fans in Toronto have had to be with Jonas Gustavsson, as the learning curve from the Swedish Elite League to the NHL is steep, to say the least.
The one advantage that Gustavsson has had in Toronto is the opportunity to play, and face a lot of shots in the process, accelerating that learning curve. For Lack in Vancouver, the chances will be few and far between, with Roberto Luongo locked up for the long term, until 2021/22 to be exact.