Canucks’ Thatcher Demko returns to lineup; will dress as backup Friday versus Blue Jackets

Credit: © Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports

The wait is over for the Vancouver Canucks as star netminder Thatcher Demko has been activated from the injured non-roster list, the club announced Friday.

While Demko will not start Friday versus the Columbus Blue Jackets, Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet told reporters that Demko will re-enter the lineup as the night’s backup goaltender.

Demko has not played yet this season, having been sidelined with a knee injury that kept him out of action for the Canucks’ final 12 games of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs plus the first 24 games of the new campaign.

The 28-year-old San Diego, Calif., native made 51 appearances with the Canucks last season in which he came up with a 35-14-2 record alongside a .918 save percentage, 2.45 goals-against average, and five shutouts. At year’s end, Demko was recognized as a Vezina Trophy finalist and was named to the NHL’s Second All-Star Team.

A graduate of the NCAA’s Boston College Eagles, Demko was originally chosen by Vancouver in the second round of the 2014 NHL Draft. The talented goaltender, who is under contract for one more season and carries a $5-million annual average value, per PuckPedia, owns a 116-81-17 career record with the Canucks.

With Demko sidelined to start 2024-25, the Canucks and Tocchet have turned to Kevin Lankinen, who signed with the club in late September as an unrestricted free agent, inking a one-year, $875,000 agreement. In 18 games, the 29-year-old has went 12-3-3 with a .906 save percentage and 2.66 goals-against average. Through it all, Lankinen also came away with 10 consecutive road victories, setting an NHL record. For his efforts, Lankinen will join his native Finland at the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off.

On the season, the Canucks sit 13-7-4, good for 30 points and the top wildcard position in the Western Conference. The club is coming off a 3-2 overtime loss to the first place Minnesota Wild and will look to return to the win column Friday versus the Blue Jackets.