When addressing the media on Tuesday, Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko denied trade rumors that have been swirling over the past two weeks.
Demko is in the second year of a five-year deal worth $5 million per season. Rumors have suggested the Canucks goaltender wants out amid a season of change for Vancouver. Demko wasted no time shutting those rumors down after returning to practice recently.
“I’m not even here to defend myself. I’m on the sidelines and I see that stuff popping up, but it’s not true. I’ll say that point blank,” Demko said. “I’ve seen a few things floating around but I’ve never said that. Not even to my wife or anyone close to my circle. I have no idea where that started.”
Demko has been out of action since Dec. 1 with a lower-body injury. Demko has been on the past few road trips with the club, but Vancouver has gone with Spencer Martin and Collin Delia in the meantime. The Canucks placed Martin on waivers on Monday, but he went unclaimed and is expected to stay with the big team for the time being.
Demko said he expects to serve as backup against Philadelphia later this week and will discuss the next steps with coach Rick Tocchet afterward. Since Demko was injured, the Canucks made a coaching change, something the 27-year-old addressed.
“It’s always tough losing a coach, especially when it’s a guy like Bruce (Boudreau),” Demko said. “The last few weeks there, I wasn’t able to help out. At a certain point, you’re playing for someone’s job. So I felt a little guilty, almost, like I wasn’t able to help out. But this is where we are now, and Toch has a plan with his staff.”
Demko has struggled this season, boasting a 3-10-2 record for a Canucks team that’s chasing a high draft pick this year. Demko was one of the best goaltenders in the NHL last season with a 33-22-7 record. The Canucks have struggled as a group, so hopefully Demko’s eventual return could help give the team some new life.
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