The Vancouver Canucks have officially announced the signing of a replacement for goaltender Thatcher Demko as the team faces a troubling injury situation. While Demko is optimistic about his progress, uncertainty surrounds his return timeline.
Demko took time on Thursday to speak with the media about his health, providing a much-needed update for Canucks fans. Though he’s not back to full action yet, his recovery is reportedly moving in the right direction, with hopes that he could return within the next two to four weeks. Demko revealed that his summer rehab process was slow due to a “unique” injury, although no details were provided.
The key questions Canucks fans are asking revolve around when Demko will be fully ready and what will happen if his injury persists throughout the season. He remains optimistic that his injury won’t require surgery, just management. Experts have been consulted, and there is no indication that the issue is difficult to overcome. However, any goalie facing an unprecedented condition naturally raises concerns about long-term durability.
Demko’s Timeline
As of now, the hope is that Demko could be ready for opening night, but the more conservative expectation is a return by the end of October. Despite the optimism surrounding his progress, the Canucks are preparing for any potential setbacks in his recovery. If Demko’s condition worsens or flares up later in the season, the team will need a reliable backup plan.
Canucks’ Backup Plan: Kevin Lankinen and Arturs Silovs
The Canucks have expressed interest in signing former Nashville Predators goalie Kevin Lankinen as part of their contingency planning. While many speculated that this was due to concerns about Demko’s recovery, the move also appears to be related to the development of Arturs Silovs, Vancouver’s backup goalie. Silovs performed admirably in the playoffs but remains unproven as a long-term solution.
The addition of Lankinen would provide stability, allowing the Canucks to rely on a veteran presence if Demko is unavailable for an extended period. Lankinen’s salary, however, remains a sticking point, as both sides weigh their options while monitoring the goalie market, particularly with John Gibson’s situation in Anaheim potentially impacting the landscape.
As the Canucks await Demko’s full recovery, they are taking measured steps to ensure they have a capable goaltending tandem for the season ahead.
Leave a Reply