As training camps around the National Hockey League get underway in less than a month, it looks like it's unclear whether or not Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko will be ready right away.
On Tuesday morning, Rick Dhaliwal was a guest on Sportsnet 650 radio and was asked if he had any updates on Thatcher Demko's recovery from back-to-back knee injuries, one which happened during the latter stages of the regular season and the other during their first game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Nashville Predators.
Dhaliwal said that he's heard that Thatcher Demko is progressing from his knee injuries, but there is no timetable for when he'll be back to 100 percent healthy, which is a bit concerning.
Demko, 28, was lights out for the Canucks last season, setting new career-highs in wins, goals against average, save percentage and shutouts. In 51 games, Demko had a record of 34-14-2 with a 2.45 goals against average, a .918 save percentage and five shutouts. His strong season earned him a nomination as one of the three finalists for the Vezina Trophy, but fell short in the voting to Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets.
If Demko isn't ready to start camp, or even the regular season, that'll put the Canucks in a really tough situation and they may need to examine external options rather than going with a tandem of Arturs Silovs & Jiri Patera.
POLL | ||
AOUT 20 | 238 ANSWERS Insider delivers concerning update in regards to Thatcher Demko's health Do you think Demko will be the Canucks' starting goaltender on opening night against Calgary? | ||
Yes | 81 | 34 % |
No | 157 | 66 % |
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