Thatcher Demko Addresses Future with Canucks After Teammate's Extension

The starter-on-paper Demko, 29, has battled multiple injuries this season and began the year on injured reserve following offseason knee surgery. He has since suffered two additional setbacks.

Lankinen has taken over the crease in his absence and has posted a .901 save percentage in 46 total games, including four shutouts, winning 24 of them—his best NHL season to date.

“I didn’t take offense to it or anything like that,” Demko said of the team’s decision to lock in Lankinen long-term. “I think the team has every right to reward a guy like that.”

While Lankinen played through illness in Vancouver’s 5–3 loss to the New York Rangers on Saturday, Demko is closing in on a return and could replace his backup as soon as Monday night facing the New Jersey Devils.

Demko nearly logged a full practice with the Canucks on Sunday, and head coach Rick Tocchet opened the door for his imminent return to the crease.

"That's probably as close to a full practice as he's had so far but he's starting to feel pretty good, so we'll see what happens,” Tocchet said.

"I feel good," Demko said. "I mean, it's that of year where practices are kind of hard to come by, so, I'm just trying to find the repetitions when I can get them."

Demko's won six of the 17 games he's started posting a 2.87 goals-against average along with a .891 save percentage this season.