Rick Tocchet Gets Very Real About Vancouver Canucks Goalie Thatcher Demko's Injury
Photo credit: Clutch Points
After the injury filled season the Vancouver Canucks have had to deal with this season, good news is always welcomed, and that is exactly what fans got today when head coach Rick Tocchet spoke to the media about Thatcher Demko's injury.
The Vancouver Canucks have been with out their All-Star and Vezina caliber netminder since February 23rd, when he was officially placed on the teams long-term injury reserve after suffering a undisclosed lower-body injury on February 8th.
Even though he has been out, new signee Kevin Lankinen has held down the fort like never before, but Demko is going to be a necessity if the Canucks are going to make a run at the last wildcard spot in the west.
Rick Tocchet provides positive injury update on goalie Thatcher Demko
Now that the club has kicked off their 6-game roundtrip, Demko has joined the team, expecting to make a start sometime in the next two weeks.
He was seen as a full participant in the Canucks practice yesterday morning, taking reps as he gets closer to returning to action.
Tocchet had some positive things to say about him, saying he is almost ready to return but does not have a specific date in mind, but knows that when he is ready, he will be getting the start.
«Demmer had a really good practice the other day,» said Tocchet this morning. «I know it's a morning skate, [but he] got the full net. He's obviously getting close, but what date? I don't have an exact date.»
«When he's ready to go, you play him,» continued Tocchet. «If he has to back up first before he plays, I'm not quite sure about that if he's healthy, we've got to stick him in.»
«When he's ready to go, you play him,» continued Tocchet. «If he has to back up first before he plays, I'm not quite sure about that if he's healthy, we've got to stick him in.»
After coming off an almost career ending knee injury, Demko has struggled in his 17 starts this season, achieving just a .891 save percentage.
But, when the games matter the most, Tocchet will have a difficult decision to make between him and Lankinen.
With how important the final games are, the team does not to plan on easing him back into games, but challenging him right away to see how he handles potential playoff hockey.
When Demko has returned from previous injuries this season, the Canucks have eased him back, letting him backup before starting. It doesn't appear they'll do the same this time as there are so few games remaining. - Noah Strang
Previously on CanucksDaily
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