Lankinen, 27 (4/28/95), appeared in 32 games for the Chicago Blackhawks last season - starting 29 of them - and recorded an 8-15-6 record with a 3.50 goals-against average and .891 save percentage. It was the 6-foot-2, 185-pound goaltender's second full NHL season; he made his League debut in 2020-21, going 17-14-5 as a rookie with the Blackhawks. During his rookie campaign, Lankinen posted a .909 save percentage and ranked among the league's leaders in saves with 1,095 (third); shots against with 1,204 (third); and games played with 37 (seventh). Lankinen finished 13th in Calder Trophy voting in 2020-21 and was the fourth-highest placing goalie.
Undrafted, Lankinen originally signed with the Blackhawks in May 2018 out of Finland and made his North American debut in 2018-19 with Rockford (AHL) and Indy (ECHL). One season later, he was named to the AHL All-Star Classic and finished the campaign with a .909 save percentage in 21 appearances. Lankinen played four full professional seasons in Finland's Liiga from 2014-18, finishing second in the league's postseason in 2015-16 and coming in third in 2016-17 with HIFK. Internationally, the Helsinki, Finland, native represented his country in the 2019 World Championship, where he led his team to the gold medal by posting a 7-1 record and .942 save percentage. His 1.50 goals-against average was the best among all goaltenders during the tournament.
