Vancouver Canucks goaltender remains unavailable for practices and skates, raising concerns among the team’s fanbase. Demko’s absence continues to be felt as the Canucks struggle early in the season, sitting sixth in the Pacific Division with a 1-1-2 record. While it’s still early, the team hopes to avoid falling too far behind in the standings.
For now, head coach Rick Tocchet has been relying on a goaltending duo of Kevin Lankinen and Arturs Silovs. Demko’s status is uncertain as he recovers from an injury, with no clear timeline for his return. Tocchet recently discussed Demko’s condition with *NHL.com’s* Adam Kimelman, revealing that the goaltender still isn’t ready for full practices and only occasionally skates on his own. Tocchet emphasized that Demko’s recovery is day-to-day, saying, “I don’t have a target date. It’s just about how many good days he can string together. We have to be patient, and when he’s ready, he’s ready.”
The Canucks are taking a cautious approach with Demko’s recovery, given the severity of his injury. In September, it was revealed that he suffered damage to the popliteus muscle in his knee, a rare injury that affects the back of the knee and connects to both the tibia and fibula. This type of injury requires careful management to avoid further complications.
While there is no set date for Demko’s return, the Canucks are hopeful that his recovery will soon accelerate, allowing him to get back on the ice. His last appearance was in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Nashville Predators, where he sustained his second knee injury of the 2023-24 season. Until then, Vancouver will continue to monitor his progress closely, eager for his eventual return to stabilize the goaltending position.
Leave a Reply