NHL rumors: Canucks’ Thatcher Demko suffered a ‘once in a 50 year’ injury
The start of training camp is slated for the last two weeks in September, but the Vancouver Canucks may be left scrambling to find goaltending at that point. That’s because starting goalie Thatcher Demko has not recovered from the knee injury he suffered in the first round of the playoffs and the start of his 2024-25 season could be delayed.
Apparently, the knee issue suffered by Demko was quite unusual, prompting one doctor to say it was the kind of injury he had not seen in 50 years of practice.
Demko was one of the best goaltenders in the NHL last season, finishing second in the Vezina Trophy race to Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets. If Demko’s return is delayed — and it appears quite likely — the Canucks will be left in the scramble mode for goaltending at the start of the upcoming season.
Vancouver goaltending coach Ian Clark has come under some fire for the Demko injury, as NHL insider Frank Servalli suggested that the goaltending coach may have overworked Demko. As a result, Clark’s process for preparing his goaltender could have had an impact on Demko’s health. Clark will serve as a goalie scout and development coach in 2024-25
