No, it’s not time to panic just yet, but we still don’t know exactly when we can expect to see Thatcher Demko return for the Vancouver Canucks this season.
Demko made 22 saves in the Canucks’ 4-2 win in Game 1 of their Western Conference quarterfinal playoff series against the Nashville Predators at Rogers Arena on Sunday.
But amidst a wave of speculation about his health, Demko sat out Game 2 of the series with an undisclosed injury and it now appears he may not return until the tail end of the second round, at the earliest.
Rick Dhaliwal and Don Taylor discussed the Demko situation at length during Thursday’s episode of Donnie & Dhali – The Team on CHEK TV.
“The fact that Demko can travel and walk is a very positive sign,” Dhaliwal said. “Demko’s in Nashville with the Canucks. A lot of this is still wait-and-see. He won’t play in the Nashville series, but if they get to round two, Don, some feel he can play late in round two.
“People ask if Demko needs surgery. I’m not hearing he needs surgery. A lot of reports out there about the timeframe — ‘Oh, it’s serious, it’s a serious injury, he could be out months and months.’ I’m not hearing that.”
Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet said Tuesday that Demko is considered week-to-week while he continues to recover. Dhaliwal confirmed on Thursday that the injury occurred on a relatively harmless-looking play in the final minute of Game 1.
“Innocent-looking play, 48 seconds left in Game 1,” Dhaliwal added. “Some are calling it a fluke injury, Don, not a serious one. But we’re going to monitor it, it’s a fluid situation, but certainly hearing that it is not as serious as some are stipulating.”
Demko, 28, posted a 35-14-2 record, five shutouts, and a .918 save percentage in 51 games with the Canucks during the 2023–24 regular season. He was one of six Canucks players named to the 2024 NHL All-Star Game in Toronto.
The Canucks originally selected Demko in the second round (No. 36 overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft. The San Diego, California product spent three seasons at Boston College before turning pro in the Canucks organization in 2016.
Game 3 between the Canucks and Predators will take place at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Friday night at 4:30 p.m. PT.
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