Thatcher Demko's Injury Status
Goaltender Jiri Patera has been called up on an emergency basis as the Canucks face back-to-back games this weekend. Meanwhile, Thatcher Demko’s status remains day-to-day, a situation that Canucks fans may grow accustomed to.
Demko’s Injury Background
Demko suffered a torn popliteus muscle during Game 1 of Vancouver’s first-round playoff series in the 2023-2024 season. This injury is extremely rare and challenging to recover from, potentially affecting him for the remainder of his career. Last season, Demko only appeared in 23 games and posted the worst statistics of his otherwise strong career.
"A torn popliteus muscle is extremely rare, difficult to recover from, and could be something he deals with for the rest of his career."
Impact and Performance
Despite the injury, Demko has been a key reason the Canucks have avoided falling to the bottom of the standings amid numerous team injuries. This season, he has won five of his nine starts.
Injury Management Strategy
To manage the injury, Demko likely needs scheduled maintenance days during practices and games to prevent re-injury. So far, he has started 9 out of 15 games this year, projecting around 49 starts for the full season.
Current Form
- Save percentage: .912, aligning closely with his career average of .910
- Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx): 7.6, ranking fifth in the NHL this season
"Demko has started 9 of 15 games for the Canucks this year, pacing him at around 49 starts for the season."
Summary
Despite a rare and serious injury, Thatcher Demko remains a vital and effective presence for the Canucks, balancing performance with careful injury management to sustain his career.