Report: Canucks’ Thatcher Demko may not be ready for training camp

Things are not looking bright for one of the top young netminders in the NHL.

While appearing on Sportsnet 650 on Tuesday, Vancouver Canucks reporter Rick Dhaliwal made it seem as if goaltender Thatcher Demko might not be ready for training camp once it gets underway next month.

On Halford and Brough, Dhaliwal reported the Canucks are worried about the progress of the 28-year-old’s rehab since the NHL Draft nearly two months ago.

“[Demko] is progressing, Dhaliwal said. “But no timetable on when he’s going to be 100% healthy…At the time [near the draft], he had not skated since [the postseason]. Rehab is not as fast as some want, but I’m not hearing any setbacks.”

Dhaliwal also confirmed that the Canucks are staying hush-hush about whether or not Demko had surgery this offseason. He went even as far as to say that Vancouver might start looking to add a goaltender.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if the Canucks continue to poke around the goalie market, again. Mostly just to protect themselves. The Canucks may need insurance.”

The Canucks tried to bolster that insurance by re-signing Casey DeSmith, but the journeyman elected to sign a three-year deal with the Dallas Stars in July.

Demko had been hammered by the injury bug over the past few seasons, suffering injuries to both knees. He missed considerable time near the end of the regular season, and was hurt in Game 1 of the Pacific Division Semifinals against the Nashville Predators. The former Boston College star went on to miss the remainder of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, as Casey DeSmith and Arturs Silovs did their best to get the Canucks within one win of the Western Conference Final, ultimately losing to the Edmonton Oilers in seven games.

As it stands, only Demko and Silovs are listed on the active NHL roster.

Demko has two more seasons remaining on his current contract, with an AAV of $5 million. The San Diego, California native has been with the organization since they took him in the second round of the 2014 NHL Draft. In 219 NHL appearances, Demko has a record of 116-81-17, with a 2.79 goals-against average, a .912 save percentage and eight shutouts.