In a devastating blow to their playoff aspirations, the Vancouver Canucks announced that starting goaltender Thatcher Demko will be sidelined indefinitely with a lower-body injury. The 29-year-old netminder, who finished second in Vezina Trophy voting last season, has been plagued by health issues over the past two campaigns.
Demko’s Injury Woes Continue
This latest setback marks another chapter in Demko’s unfortunate injury history. He missed significant time last year due to a groin issue and delayed his 2024-25 debut until December while recovering from a knee problem that surfaced during the 2024 postseason.
While the team did not disclose specifics about his current ailment, sources indicate it is unrelated to his previous knee injury. The Canucks categorized Demko as week-to-week and ruled him out for their upcoming five-game road trip following the 4 Nations Face-Off break.
Lankinen Steps Into the Spotlight
With Demko sidelined, the Canucks will lean heavily on backup Kevin Lankinen to shoulder the load in net. The 27-year-old Finn has been a revelation this season, posting a stellar 19-8-7 record with a 2.53 goals-against average and .905 save percentage in 34 appearances.
“Kevin has been absolutely phenomenal for us this year,” Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet said. “He’s proven he can handle a starter’s workload and we have full confidence in his ability to lead us during this crucial stretch.”
– Rick Tocchet, Vancouver Canucks Head Coach
Vancouver also recalled 22-year-old prospect Arturs Silovs from the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks on an emergency basis to serve as Lankinen’s backup. The team added practice netminder Nikita Tolopilo to round out the depth chart.
Playoff Implications
Demko’s injury comes at a critical juncture for the Canucks, who currently occupy the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference. With only 22 games remaining in the regular season, they can ill afford any slipups in his absence.
The team’s demanding upcoming schedule, featuring five consecutive road games against formidable opponents like the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken, will test their mettle and playoff readiness. As the Canucks await further updates on Demko’s status, they must rally around Lankinen and find ways to collect valuable points in the postseason race.
A Storied But Injury-Plagued Career
Selected 36th overall by Vancouver in the 2014 NHL Draft, Demko has solidified himself as one of the league’s premier goaltenders when healthy. Through 236 career games, he boasts an impressive 122-87-20 record with a 2.80 GAA and .911 save percentage.
- All-Star selection in 2022
- Vezina Trophy runner-up in 2024
- Missed significant time due to injuries in 2023 and 2024
As the Canucks anxiously monitor Demko’s recovery timeline, they must confront the harsh reality that their franchise cornerstone has become increasingly fragile. With playoff aspirations hanging in the balance, the team can only hope that this latest injury does not derail their postseason ambitions entirely.
