Thatcher Demko’s return to the Canucks could still be a while away

The Vancouver Canucks have started the 2024-25 season with a 3-1-2 record through their first six games, and have done so without starting goaltender Thatcher Demko. The 28-year-old netminder continues to recover from a lower-body injury, and unfortunately, it doesn’t sound like a return to the lineup is on the horizon.

In his absence, the Canucks’ crease has been held down by both Arturs Silovs and Kevin Lankinen, with Lankinen the most impressive of the duo. 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. Needless to say, Lankinen has put himself into the conversation to be Demko’s backup, once the Canucks’ starter eventually returns game action.

On Wednesday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and Frank Seravalli discussed the Canucks’ crease and provided the latest on when Demko could be returning to Vancouver’s lineup.

Yaremchuk: Frank, you mentioned that Thatcher Demko was skating and getting in work for the Canucks, the other day. His return – smoke, fire, false alarm? Are we still a ways away?

Seravalli: 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.

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.

For more on the Canucks’ start, and all the latest buzz from the NHL’s frozen frenzy, watch the full episode here.