Thatcher Demko Setback? - NHL insider reveals disappointing update on his recovery

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Maverick Mitchell
October 23, 2024 (12:47)

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Ever since Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko went down with a lower body injury last season, questions about when he will return have been swirling, now, NHL insider Frank Seravalli has a new update, and it is not what fans want to hear.

Even without Demko, the Canucks have gotten off to a pretty solid start in their first 6 games, winning 3 in a row and getting points in 2 out of their 3 games they lost. Kevin Lankinen has held down the crease and has been the teams MVP so far this, but fans still want to see Thatcher Demko back in net.

The 29-year-old signed a one-year deal in late September and has started his tenure in Vancouver, posting an impressive 3-0-1 record, along with a 1.70 goals against average and .941 save percentage.

NHL Insider Frank Seravalli discusses if and when Demko will return to the Canucks lineup.

On this morning episode of Daily Faceoff Live that stars NHL insider Frank Seravalli, he discussed that it does not sound likely Demko will return any time soon and the team has left it in his hand to make the call.

Fans even got excited that a return could be on the horizon when he was spotted skating yesterday after practice. But it was confirmed that his stability and ability to move in the net is very limited and will need a lot more work to get anywhere close to game ready.

"We are probably still a ways away. I think the easiest way to explain it is, the Canucks are leaving this into Thatcher Demko's hands, to tell them when he's comfortable to return. Watched him on the ice on Tuesday, well after their optional morning skate, I posted a video, he was essentially planted in the crease, on one knee. He did this on both sides. There was a coach in the corner, on either side, and a bungee cord, and they were basically trying to pull him out of the crease. It was his job to essentially stabilize himself." - Frank Seravalli

Stability is the key word, when it comes to this rehab, it's such a weird injury. He hasn't been able to find that stability in the knee, with this popliteus muscle behind it, that has cause him some discomfort. I think the nice thing for the Canucks is that, the way Lankinen has played, .941 save percentage so far, he's basically supplanted Arturs Silovs as the guy the Canucks are probably going to let run with the ball here. They're not forced to bring him back, or try to push this, they can give him all the time that he needs.