Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Takes overtime loss in debut
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Demko surrendered four goals on 25 shots in Tuesday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Blues.
The Canucks came back from a 3-1 deficit, but they couldn't get the puck into the net in overtime. Dylan Holloway had the decisive goal, handing Demko a defeat in his season debut after a nearly eight-month recovery from a knee injury. It's safe to assume Demko and Kevin Lankinen will share the goaltending duties for at least the rest of December unless one or the other gets on a hot streak. The Canucks' next game is a tough one at home versus the Panthers on Thursday.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Making season debut Tuesday
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Demko will be in the home blue paint Tuesday versus the Blues, Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650 reports.
Demko will make his first start of the 2024-25 campaign, as he's been contending with a knee injury dating back to last season. The California native's last appearance came in Vancouver's first-round playoff series against Nashville on April 21. The 29-year-old shouldn't be expected to take over the No. 1 netminding gig, at least in the short term, as Kevin Lankinen's strong play between the pipes has afforded Vancouver the luxury of easing Demko back into game action. Demko has been the backup to Lankinen in each of the last two games. Demko was stellar in 2023-24, posting a 35-14-2 record, .918 save percentage and 2.45 GAA over 51 regular-season outings.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Backing up against Jackets
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Demko (knee) will serve as the backup for Vancouver at home versus Columbus on Friday, Thomas Drance of The Athletic reports.
Demko looks poised to return to action sooner rather than later. While he will sit on the bench behind Kevin Lankinen on Friday, it could open the door for Demko to make his first start of the season in a home matchup versus Tampa Bay on Sunday. Lankinen's strong play -- he's 12-3-3 on the season -- could see Demko eased back into action, but he should eventually reclaim the No. 1 spot in the crease.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Nearing return
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Demko (knee) believes he's at a point in his recovery where he might be able to serve as the backup goaltender within Vancouver's next three games, Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650 reports Thursday.
The Canucks' next three games will all be at home. They'll host Columbus on Friday, Tampa Bay on Sunday and St. Louis on Tuesday. Demko was fantastic in 2023-24, posting a 35-14-2 record, 2.45 GAA and .918 save percentage in 51 regular-season appearances. Given that he suggested he might start as an understudy, Vancouver might slowly ease him back toward his typical workload. Even still, his return would likely result in Arturs Silovs being sent to the minors. Kevin Lankinen, who has done fine as the temporary No. 1 with a 12-3-3 record, 2.66 GAA and .906 save percentage across 18 outings this campaign, will see his role significantly diminish, especially once Demko is back up to speed.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Progressing in recovery
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Demko (knee) is making strides in his recovery and could be a game-time decision sooner rather than later, Iain MacIntyre of Sportsnet reports Tuesday.
Demko won't be an option versus Boston on Tuesday and likely won't play in the second half of the Canucks' back-to-back against Pittsburgh on Wednesday either. Still, it's a positive update from general manager Patrik Allvin regarding the backstop's availability. Once given the all-clear, the 28-year-old San Diego native should reclaim his spot as the No. 1 option in Vancouver, relegating Kevin Lankinen to the backup role.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Placed on non-roster list
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Demko (knee) will begin the 2024-25 season on Vancouver's non-roster injured reserve list, the team announced Monday.
Demko's status shouldn't come as a surprise considering the team has repeatedly said he doesn't have a clear timeline to return. At this point, fantasy managers should probably consider the backstop as week-to-week, though it could certainly be longer. Arturs Silovs and Kevin Lankinen will pick up the slack in Demko's stead.
Demko (knee) has made a lot of progress over the last 2-3 weeks, but said Thursday there is still no timetable for his return, Harman Dayal of The Athletic reports.
Demko also said that he had a minor procedure done in the offseason that was unrelated to his knee injury. Demko stated that he has an unique injury -- a lower-body muscle injury -- and hasn't found any hockey player with a similar injury. Should Demko miss the start of the regular season, look for Arturs Silovs to take over the No. 1 job with the Canucks.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Meeting with media Thursday
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Demko (knee) is expected to discuss his recovery from a knee injury when he talks to the media Thursday, Thomas Drance of The Athletic reports.
Demko is not expected to participate in training camp or preseason games as part of his recovery plan. More details may be available after his media session, but Demko is likely to continue to need to manage his workload even once he's cleared for games.
Demko is progressing in his recovery from a knee injury, but it's unclear when he'll return to full strength, per Sportsnet 650 on Tuesday.
Demko appeared in one postseason outing against Nashville before he injured his knee. The 28-year-old's rehab has taken longer than expected, so there's speculation that Vancouver will take a look at the goaltender market in the event that Demko isn't ready to start the 2024-25 season. There's also no clarity on whether Demko had a surgical procedure to address his knee issue at this point. In 51 appearances in 2023-24, Demko was 35-14-2 with a .918 save percentage and a 2.45 GAA.
Head coach Rick Tocchet said Saturday that Demko (knee) will not play in Monday's Game 7 versus the Oilers, Thomas Drance of The Athletic reports.
Demko was believed to have a chance to return during the second round, but this will eliminate that possibility. The Canucks will instead entrust either Arturs Silovs or Casey DeSmith in a must-win game with a trip to the Western Conference Finals on the line. Demko will have missed 12 straight contests after Monday, and there's been no indication at what point he might be available if the Canucks are able to extend their playoff run.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Still unavailable
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Demko (knee) won't be available for the start of Vancouver's second-round series against Edmonton, Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650 reports.
Demko, who is considered week-to-week, sat out the final five contests of the Canucks' first-round series versus Nashville. It remains unclear when he will be available to return. During Demko's absence, Casey DeSmith and Arturs Silovs have shared time between the pipes. The 23-year-old Silovs could make his fourth straight start in Game 1 versus the Oilers on Wednesday.
