Canucks’ Thatcher Demko rated 8th highest goaltender in NHL 26

Coming off a 2023-2024 season in which Demko finished runner-up to Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck for the Vezina Trophy, EA gave Demko a 91 overall for  NHL 25. He finished that season with a 35-14-2 record, a 2.45 goals against average and a .918 save percentage, with five shutouts. However, his season was cut short after he was injured in early March. He managed to return for two regular season games before suffering yet another injury in the final few minutes of Game 1 against the Nashville Predators.

Demko struggled to stay healthy throughout last season, having not made his season debut until mid-December. Multiple injuries limited Demko to just 23 starts last season, during which he finished with a 10-8-3 record, a 2.90 goals against average, and a .889 save percentage – the first season of his career where he finished below the .900 mark.

The Canucks netminder comes in under back-to-back Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck (94 overall), Tampa Bay Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy (93 overall), New York Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin (92 overall), New York Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin (91 overall), back-to-back Stanley Cup Champion Sergei Bobrovsky (90 overall), Dallas Stars’ Jake Oettinger (90 overall) and Minnesota Wild’s Filip Gustavsson. Saros sits in a tie with Demko at 88 overall, while Los Angeles Kings’ Darcy Kuemper (87 overall) rounds out the top-10.

The San Diego, California native was given highly rated attributes that contributed to such a high rating. Demko was recognized for his angle play, as his 92 rating is the highest of all his attributes. He was also rewarded with high attributes for his stickside ratings (both high and low received a 90), as well as his rebound control (91 rating) and his shot recovery (91 rating), which were his next two highest.

Demko’s playing style in-game is hybrid, while he will also receive the ‘post-to-post’ X-Factor. Here is how EA Sports defines the ability:

“Stretch post to post to make miraculous cross crease saves to with increased speed and improved save accuracy when sliding. Unlock additional windmill reactions on one-timer saves and eliminates reaction penalties on Perfect One Timers.”

You can get your hands on NHL 26 on Friday, September 12.