Veteran goaltender Keith Kinkaid signs PTO with Eastern Conference team

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Cooper Godin
September 12, 2024 (2:58 PM)

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Veteran goaltender Keith Kinkaid has signed a PTO with an Eastern Conference team.

After spending the entire 2023-24 season in the American Hockey League with the Chicago Wolves, veteran netminder Keith Kinkaid is attempting to land an NHL contract after signing a PTO.

According to Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News, the New York Islanders are bringing Keith Kinkaid to training camp on a professional tryout (PTO).

When the Islanders released their rookie camp roster on Thursday, many were confused when the team listed Keith Kinkaid among those participating. Afterwards, it was determined that he signed a PTO with Islanders and was likely listed on their rookie camp roster to give him extra reps ahead of main camp next week. The Islanders also needed another goaltender at rookie camp because only two others were invited - Tristan Lennox and Henrik Tikkanen.

Kinkaid spoke to reporters on Thursday and told them that he believes he has a lot left in the tank and could be a candidate for an NHL roster, despite being 35 and only playing in 18 NHL games since 2019.

"G Keith Kinkaid said he still has "a lot left in the tank" and is looking to prove he can still be a viable NHL candidate. Grew up an #Isles fan (who idolized Martin Brodeur) and is thrilled to be near his LI home after several seasons of bouncing around."

Kinkaid, a Farmingville, New York native, appeared in 24 games last season for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL where he had a record of 8-14-2, along with a 3.54 goals against average and an .880 save percentage.

It's going to be tough for Keith Kinkaid to crack the Islanders' opening night roster, even if he plays well during the preseason. The Islanders are set with Ilya Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov, so if Kinkaid earns a contract with the team, he'll likely start the year with Bridgeport in the AHL.