The Vancouver Canucks are bracing for more bad news regarding their star goaltender, Thatcher Demko. After missing almost all of last season’s playoffs due to an injury, it appears Demko’s return to the ice could still be weeks away. TSN’s Darren Dreger recently provided a grim update, confirming that Demko’s recovery from a lower-body injury, initially sustained in last year’s postseason, is taking longer than expected.
Demko, who played only one game during the Canucks’ playoff run before being sidelined, was diagnosed with an injury affecting the popliteus muscle during the offseason—a rare and potentially career-altering condition. With no known quick fix, the Canucks have been cautious about setting a definitive timeline for his return.
According to Dreger, Demko will miss at least the next few weeks as he continues his rehabilitation. Speaking on the “Sekeres and Price” show, Dreger stated that the Canucks are “cautiously optimistic” about his return in about a month. “It’s optimism on both fronts,” Dreger explained. “The outside timeline is 3-4 weeks, but there’s still a lot of uncertainty. If it drifts into that fourth week, there shouldn’t be panic, but it’s a situation the Canucks are monitoring closely.”
Demko had a career-best season before his injury, posting a 35-14-2 record with a .918 save percentage, making him an invaluable part of the team’s success. His prolonged absence is a major blow for head coach Rick Tocchet, who is now forced to navigate the opening stretch of the season without his starting goaltender.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman had already hinted at a lengthy recovery for Demko during a recent episode of the “32 Thoughts” podcast. He emphasized that the Canucks are taking a careful approach with their star goalie. “No alarm bells,” Friedman said. “Vancouver is not going to rush Demko back. The team is preparing for the start of the season with a plan in case there’s any relapse, and they’re ensuring they have the best possible goalie tandem ready.”
For now, the Canucks will have to rely on their backup goalies, Kevin Lankinen and Arturs Silovs, to carry the load until Demko is ready to return. However, this latest update has raised concerns about the team’s ability to stay competitive during this crucial stretch of the season. While fans are hopeful for a speedy recovery, Demko’s uncertain timeline looms large over the Canucks’ aspirations this year.
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