Thatcher Demko #35 of the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko is inching closer to his much-anticipated return to the crease, and his optimism is palpable ahead of the team’s six-game road trip, which begins this Saturday in Ottawa. Demko, who has been sidelined since a knee injury sustained in last season’s playoffs, broke his silence on Wednesday, expressing confidence about his recovery while rejoining his teammates on the road.
“It’s obviously been a long road, so it’s nice to be back with the guys,” Demko told reporters. “I feel really good. It’s the best I’ve felt, obviously, in seven to eight months. There’s finally a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel.”
The 27-year-old netminder, who was the runner-up for the Vezina Trophy last season, hasn’t seen game action since Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round last spring. He was diagnosed with a rare knee injury that derailed his preparation for the 2024-25 season, forcing him to miss the start of the campaign. Despite the setback, Demko remains focused on his long-term health and is determined not to rush his return to the net.
A Long Road Back
After almost two months of recovery, Demko resumed full team practices less than two weeks ago. He’s been carefully testing his endurance and physical readiness, working to regain his NHL form. However, the veteran goalie isn’t setting any firm return date until he’s fully confident in his ability to perform without risking further injury.
“I can’t feel good and go back into game action and then have a setback two weeks into playing,” Demko explained. “I’ve got to put this thing through hell and know that I can sustain the pressures of being in the NHL every day—playing games, waking up, practicing, traveling.”
The Canucks have fared better than expected without their top goaltender. With Demko out, Vancouver has posted a solid 9-6-3 record through the first 18 games of the season, sitting in the thick of the playoff race with 21 points. Backup goaltenders Kevin Lankinen and Arturs Silovs have split time in net, but neither has been able to replicate the consistency or excellence Demko displayed last season, when he posted a .918 save percentage and five shutouts in 51 games.
Demko’s absence has undoubtedly left a void, but the Canucks have managed to stay competitive. Still, the team knows it needs their star goaltender back to reach its full potential in the tough Western Conference.
The Road Ahead
“I want it to be for the long haul when I come back,” Demko said. “There’s still work to do, but we’re moving in the right direction.”
The Canucks will kick off their road trip on Saturday against the Ottawa Senators, and with games against the Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, and other Eastern Conference opponents ahead, the team will continue to rely on Lankinen and Silovs in net for the time being. Vancouver won’t return to Rogers Arena until Dec. 6, when they’ll host the Columbus Blue Jackets.
While the Canucks have held their own without Demko, the team’s hopes for a deep playoff run will hinge on the goaltender’s ability to return to form. Demko’s poised and calculated approach to his recovery gives fans hope that, when the time comes, he’ll be back and ready to reclaim his place as one of the NHL’s elite goalies.
As Demko gets closer to rejoining the lineup, the Canucks will be hoping that their star goaltender’s return will provide the spark needed to push the team to new heights this season. With the road trip ahead and a busy month of December on the horizon, Vancouver will need to keep their momentum going—knowing that their top goalie is just around the corner.
About The Author
