NHL Insider Confirms Setback in Thatcher Demko's Recovery Progress
Photo credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Despite not having Thatcher Demko as their starting goalie, the Vancouver Canucks have a 3-1-2 record through their first six games of the 2024-25 season.
Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that the 28-year-old goalie will be making a comeback to the starting lineup anytime soon as he continues to recover from a lower-body injury.
There have been many rumours of when Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko will return ever since he suffered a lower body injury last season. NHL insider Frank Seravalli has a new update, and it is not what fans want to hear.
Both Kevin Lankinen and Arturs Silovs have held down the Canucks' crease in his absence, with Lankinen being the more impressive of the two. The 29-year-old began his time in Vancouver with a stellar 3-0-1 record, 1.70 goals against average, and .941 save percentage after agreeing to a one-year contract in late September. It goes without saying that Lankinen has entered the running to be Demko's backup when the Canucks' star player eventually makes a comeback.
NHL insider Frank Seravalli discussed on this morning's episode of Daily Faceoff Live that Demko's return is unlikely to happen anytime soon and that the team has left it up to him to make the decision.
When he was seen skating yesterday after practice, fans even became ecstatic that a comeback might be imminent. However, it was established that he has very little stability and movement in the net and will require a great deal more work before he is even close to being 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
Thankfully, Kevin Lankinen has been playing brilliantly so far in goal, relieving some of the pressure for the Canucks. However, a healthy Demko will surely increase the team's chances of contending for the Stanley Cup in the postseason.
| POLL | ||
23 OCTOBRE | 87 ANSWERS NHL Insider Confirms Setback in Thatcher Demko's Recovery Progress Will Thatcher Demko play for the Vancouver Canucks this season? | ||
| Yes | 47 | 54 % |
| No | 40 | 46 % |
| List of polls | ||
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