Thatcher Demko - NHL News & Rumors

Hopes to return by Christmas Co-president of hockey operations Henrik Sedin said Monday that he hopes Demko (hip) will be ready to return before Christmas, Kevin Woodley of NHL.com reports.

Impact Demko missed the second half of the 2025-26 season after undergoing hip surgery in January, and he was officially placed on injured reserve last week. He doesn't yet have a clear timetable for when he'll be back in action, but Sedin said that Demko is "taking steps every day" in his recovery process. While Demko is sidelined, Kevin Lankinen and Leevi Merilainen should compete for starts in the Canucks' crease.

SEPTEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Doubtful for Opening Night Demko (hip) isn't expected to be ready for the start of the regular season, per Thomas Drance of The Athletic on Friday.

Impact Demko doesn't have a timetable for his return, but he also hasn't been a full participant in training camp. It wouldn't be surprising if he needs a meaningful amount of time to get up to speed after he does recover from his hip injury. In the meantime, Kevin Lankinen and Leevi Merilainen, who was claimed off waivers from Ottawa on Friday, are likely to compete for starts.

SEPTEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Shifted to IR Demko (hip) has been designated for injured reserve, per the NHL media site Thursday.

Impact Demko wasn't going to be ready for training camp and this latest shift would seem to indicate he won't be ready for the start of the 2026-27 campaign. With his continued injury problems, the Canucks will likely ease the veteran backstop into the lineup while relying on Kevin Lankinen.

SEPTEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Won't be full participant in training camp General manager Ryan Johnson said Wednesday that Demko (hip) won't be a full participant in training camp, Canucks play-by-play announcer Brendan Batchelor reports.

Impact Demko was sidelined to close out the 2025-26 campaign due to hip surgery, and the Canucks announced last week that he doesn't yet have a timetable for his return. Johnson indicated Wednesday that Demko won't be with one of the main groups to begin camp, but the netminder will be on the ice in Penticton with his teammates as he continues his recovery process. While it's not yet clear whether Demko's recovery will impact his availability for the start of the regular season, Kevin Lankinen, Chris Driedger and Nikita Tolopilo are candidates to see time in net if Demko is sidelined.

SEPTEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

No timeline for return Demko (hip) still doesn't have a timeline for his return, per Rick Dhaliwal of CHEK on Tuesday.

Impact Demko underwent hip surgery shortly after leaving a game against Toronto on Jan. 10, and he hasn't played since. He posted a record of 8-10-1 with one shutout, a 2.90 GAA and an .895 save percentage across 20 appearances in the 2025-26 regular season. If Demko isn't ready to start the 2026-27 campaign, Kevin Lankinen will likely get another crack at being the Canucks' No. 1 netminder.

SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Canucks confirm the worst for Thatcher Demko, sign free agent goalie to PTO This guy's career has to be one of the biggest cases of "What if" in NHL history...

AUGUST 27 • HOCKEYFEED.COM

Status uncertain ahead of camp Demko's (hip) status is uncertain for the start of training camp ahead of the 2026-27 season, Thomas Drance of The Athletic reports Monday.

Impact Demko missed the final few months of the 2025-26 campaign after undergoing hip surgery, and with less than a month before the Canucks begin training camp, it's not yet clear whether the netminder will be healthy enough to take the ice. After making 51 regular-season appearances during the 2023-24 campaign, Demko was limited to 23 regular-season games in the 2024-25 season before making just 20 regular-season appearances last year as he dealt with injuries in each of those campaigns. Regardless of whether the 30-year-old has the green light for the start of training camp, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Canucks manage his workload this year in order to preserve his health over a full season.

AUGUST 24 • ROTOWIRE

Matthew Sekeres: Thatcher Demko's potential absence a "silver lining" for Canucks in multiple ways Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko remains a question mark heading into the 2026-27 season after undergoing hip surgery earlier this year.

AUGUST 18 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Canucks get rare good news on health of Thatcher Demko. Is the nightmare finally over?

AUGUST 15 • HOCKEYFEED.COM

Elliot Friedman joins NHL Tonight | NHL.com NHL Network insider Elliotte Friedman joins the show to talk the Red Wings continued General Manger search, Thatcher Demko's status, and mor...

AUGUST 7 • NHL.COM

YEAR-END | Pettersson, Boeser, Hronek, Demko | Vancouver Canucks Hear from Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, Filip Hronek and Thatcher Demko at Canucks year end media.

APRIL 17 • NHL.COM

Shifts to LTIR Demko was placed on long-term injured reserve Tuesday.

Impact Demko's move to LTIR was bound to happen after Vancouver announced he would be shut down for the season Jan. 27. The move was made in correspondence to Pierre-Oliver Joseph's need for a standard IR spot, as he's dealing with an undisclosed injury. Demko will continue to rehab his injury after going 8-10-1 with a 2.90 GAA and an .895 save percentage across 20 games this season.

MARCH 3 • ROTOWIRE

Are the Canucks in need of a goaltender after Demko surgery? Vancouver Canucks GM Patrik Allvin announced on Tuesday that goaltender Thatcher Demko will undergo hip surgery and be out for the remainder...

JANUARY 30 • PUCKPROSE.COM

Celebrini's 4 points lead Sharks to 5-2 win over Canucks

Macklin Celebrini had a goal and three assists, the San Jose Sharks scored three first-period goals in a span of 4:04, and went on to beat the Vancouver Canucks 5-2

JANUARY 28 • Associated Press

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko set to undergo season-ending hip surgery

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko will not play again this season

JANUARY 27 • Associated Press

Shut down for season Demko will undergo hip surgery and miss the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign, the Canucks announced Tuesday.

Impact According to the team, Demko's hip surgery is unrelated to the one from last season, and the backstop will be ready for the start of training camp in the fall. Still, the fact that the San Diego native will play less than 25 games for the second straight year is a concern for fans and fantasy managers alike. With Demko on the shelf, Kevin Lankinen figures to serve as the primary option for the Canucks moving forward.

JANUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Rookie Ben Kindel scores twice, leads Penguins to a 3-2 win over the Canucks

Rookie Ben Kindel scored twice in the second period to lead the Penguins to a 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday and a sweep of Pittsburgh’s four-game western Canada trip

JANUARY 26 • Associated Press

Terrible update for Thatcher Demko. Another tough blow for the Vancouver Canucks.

JANUARY 11 • HOCKEYFEED.COM

Moves to IR Demko (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Sunday.

Impact Demko will be out for at least the next four games, starting with Monday's road matchup against Montreal, after being injured in Saturday's 5-0 loss to Toronto. However, it's unclear when he will be ready to return to the lineup. The Canucks recalled Nikita Tolopilo from AHL Abbotsford on Sunday under emergency conditions to serve as Kevin Lankinen's backup during Demko's absence.

JANUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Exits with injury Demko sustained a lower-body injury Saturday versus the Maple Leafs and will be evaluated over the coming days, Thomas Drance of The Athletic reports.

Impact Given Demko's lengthy history of lower-body issues, this is not an encouraging development. He should be considered doubtful for Monday's game in Montreal and Tuesday's game in Ottawa at this point, though a clearer timeline may emerge once Demko's evaluation is completed. The Canucks are likely to call up a goalie from AHL Abbotsford to share the crease with Kevin Lankinen while Demko is out. Demko gave up three goals on six shots in the first period Saturday en route to the loss.

JANUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Nylander has goal and 2 assists in injury return, Maple Leafs beat Canucks 5-0

William Nylander had a goal and two assists in his return from an injury, Joseph Woll made 29 saves for his second shutout of the season and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Vancou...

JANUARY 11 • Associated Press

VAN@TOR: Domi scores goal against Thatcher Demko | Toronto Maple Leafs Max Domi (TOR) scores goal against Thatcher Demko (VAN) to make it 2 - 0

JANUARY 11 • NHL.COM

VAN@TOR: Nylander scores goal against Thatcher Demko | Toronto Maple Leafs William Nylander (TOR) scores goal against Thatcher Demko (VAN) to make it 3 - 0

JANUARY 11 • NHL.COM

VAN@TOR: Maccelli scores PPG against Thatcher Demko | Toronto Maple Leafs Matias Maccelli (TOR) scores power-play goal against Thatcher Demko (VAN) to make it 1 - 0

JANUARY 11 • NHL.COM

Set to face Maple Leafs Demko was the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate, according to Thomas Drance of The Athletic, indicating he will defend the road net against Toronto on Saturday.

Impact Demko has lost his last five outings (0-4-1) while surrendering 20 goals on 152 shots. He has gone 8-9-1 this season with one shutout, a 2.79 GAA and a .900 save percentage across 19 appearances. Toronto ranks seventh in the league with 3.33 goals per game during the 2025-26 campaign.

JANUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

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Celebrini's 4 points lead Sharks to 5-2 win over Canucks

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko set to undergo season-ending hip surgery

Rookie Ben Kindel scores twice, leads Penguins to a 3-2 win over the Canucks

Nylander has goal and 2 assists in injury return, Maple Leafs beat Canucks 5-0