Life After Demko: Vancouver’s Sobering New Reality

The Vancouver Canucks confirmed what many had been bracing for: Thatcher Demko will undergo hip surgery and is done for the season. The announcement didn’t exactly land like a shock — he’s been out since January 10 — but there’s something different about hearing it officially. The finality changes the conversation. It wasn’t just about Tuesday night against San Jose; it was about everything that comes next.

Kevin Lankinen Couldn’t Hold His Team in the Game.

Kevin Lankinen’s early pull in the first period wasn’t purely his fault. The Sharks pressed, generated quality chances, and made Vancouver pay immediately. Still, that moment crystallized the fragile margin the Canucks are now operating on. With Demko gone, the safety net is gone, too. Nikita Tolopilo came in and stopped 25 of 27, but the bigger question isn’t about him or any one game. It’s about how a team built around structure, goaltending, and timely offence adapts when its anchor is suddenly absent.

Add to that an already thin lineup. Brock Boeser and Zeev Buium were out after Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh, leaving gaps in scoring, experience, and defensive depth. Suddenly, Vancouver isn’t just facing a rough patch. They’re testing their roster, their systems, and their identity at the same time. How do you adjust the game plan when your starting goalie, your most stabilizing presence, and several key contributors are missing?

The Canucks Season Is Less About Going for the Playoffs, But Making the Most of What’s Happening.

This is the season now, stripped of its usual narrative. It’s less about wins and losses — although those still matter — and more about redefining what “good enough” looks like. Can the younger players rise to the occasion? Can Lankinen handle the bulk of starts without Demko behind him? Can the coaching staff find ways to mask gaps and still make the team competitive night to night? These are the questions Vancouver faces every game from here on out.

It’s a sobering moment, but also a clarifying one. With Demko gone, there’s no hiding from reality. The Canucks will be judged on resilience, adaptability, and the little victories along the way. Every blocked shot, every timely save, every skater who steps up in the absence of their stars becomes far more meaningful. Life after Demko isn’t just a storyline — it’s the measure of what this team is made of.