Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Placed on non-roster list
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Demko (knee) will begin the 2024-25 season on Vancouver's non-roster injured reserve list, the team announced Monday.
Demko's status shouldn't come as a surprise considering the team has repeatedly said he doesn't have a clear timeline to return. At this point, fantasy managers should probably consider the backstop as week-to-week, though it could certainly be longer. Arturs Silovs and Kevin Lankinen will pick up the slack in Demko's stead.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: No timetable for return
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Demko (knee) has made a lot of progress over the last 2-3 weeks, but said Thursday there is still no timetable for his return, Harman Dayal of The Athletic reports.
Demko also said that he had a minor procedure done in the offseason that was unrelated to his knee injury. Demko stated that he has an unique injury -- a lower-body muscle injury -- and hasn't found any hockey player with a similar injury. Should Demko miss the start of the regular season, look for Arturs Silovs to take over the No. 1 job with the Canucks.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Meeting with media Thursday
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Demko (knee) is expected to discuss his recovery from a knee injury when he talks to the media Thursday, Thomas Drance of The Athletic reports.
Demko is not expected to participate in training camp or preseason games as part of his recovery plan. More details may be available after his media session, but Demko is likely to continue to need to manage his workload even once he's cleared for games.
Demko is progressing in his recovery from a knee injury, but it's unclear when he'll return to full strength, per Sportsnet 650 on Tuesday.
Demko appeared in one postseason outing against Nashville before he injured his knee. The 28-year-old's rehab has taken longer than expected, so there's speculation that Vancouver will take a look at the goaltender market in the event that Demko isn't ready to start the 2024-25 season. There's also no clarity on whether Demko had a surgical procedure to address his knee issue at this point. In 51 appearances in 2023-24, Demko was 35-14-2 with a .918 save percentage and a 2.45 GAA.
Head coach Rick Tocchet said Saturday that Demko (knee) will not play in Monday's Game 7 versus the Oilers, Thomas Drance of The Athletic reports.
Demko was believed to have a chance to return during the second round, but this will eliminate that possibility. The Canucks will instead entrust either Arturs Silovs or Casey DeSmith in a must-win game with a trip to the Western Conference Finals on the line. Demko will have missed 12 straight contests after Monday, and there's been no indication at what point he might be available if the Canucks are able to extend their playoff run.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Still unavailable
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Demko (knee) won't be available for the start of Vancouver's second-round series against Edmonton, Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650 reports.
Demko, who is considered week-to-week, sat out the final five contests of the Canucks' first-round series versus Nashville. It remains unclear when he will be available to return. During Demko's absence, Casey DeSmith and Arturs Silovs have shared time between the pipes. The 23-year-old Silovs could make his fourth straight start in Game 1 versus the Oilers on Wednesday.
Demko (knee) joined the Canucks for their trip to Nashville for Games 3 and 4 despite being labeled week-to-week, Dan Murphy of Sportsnet reports Thursday.
Given Demko's week-to-week timeline, his presence on the trip is likely more about being around the team and perhaps helping Casey DeSmith in an off-ice capacity than him potentially returning to action soon. Another update on Demko will likely surface once he's upgraded to day-to-day.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Considered week-to-week
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Demko (undisclosed) is regarded as week-to-week, coach Rick Tocchet told Thomas Drance of The Athletic on Wednesday.
Demko was a key part of the Canucks' regular-season success, posting a 35-14-2 record, 2.45 GAA and .918 save percentage in 51 contests. He also stopped 20 of 22 shots en route to a 4-2 victory over the Predators in Game 1 on Sunday. The Canucks will likely lean on Casey DeSmith during Demko's absence.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: Out Tuesday, considered day-to-day
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Demko is considered day-to-day with an undisclosed injury and won't play in Tuesday's Game 2 versus the Predators, Canucks rinkside reporter Kate Pettersen reports.
Demko was solid in Sunday's Game 1, stopping 20 of 22 shots en route to a 4-2 win over Nashville. The good news is Demko's undisclosed injury isn't related to the knee issue that kept him out from March 13-April 13. The bad news is the Canucks will be without their No. 1 netminder for at least one playoff contest and potentially more. Casey DeSmith will take over for Vancouver between the pipes until Demko is ready to return.
Demko stopped 20 of 22 shots in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Predators in Game 1.
Demko allowed four goals on 65 shots over two games to close the regular season following his return from a knee injury. The 28-year-old was facing a deficit for a large portion of Sunday's game, but the Canucks turned things around in the third period to get the win. He won a career-high 35 games with a 2.45 GAA and a .918 save percentage over 51 regular-season outings, so he's going to be tough for the Predators to solve over a full series.
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Canucks' Thatcher Demko: First off ahead of Game 1
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Demko was the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate, according to Thomas Drance of The Athletic, indicating will he patrol the home crease Sunday in Game 1 against Nashville.
Demko posted a 35-14-2 record with a 2.45 GAA and a .918 save percentage in 51 games during the regular season. He also went 1-1-0 with a .938 save percentage in two outings after returning to the lineup last Thursday from a knee injury. Demko stopped 43 of 47 shots en route to a mark of 2-0-0 versus the Predators in 2023-24. Nashville placed 10th in the league with 3.24 goals per contest during the regular season.
