An updated timeline on the top netminder in the Vancouver Canucks organization.

While not setting a concrete timeline, Sedin said the team hopes he’ll be back by the holiday season.

“He won’t be ready early on,” Sedin said. “But our goal is to get him back before Christmas.”

Demko has been skating over the summer and has been around the Canucks during training camp. However, he hasn’t fully participated on the ice. He is expected to be on injured reserve when the 2026-27 season gets underway. Sedin added that the team doesn’t want to put a definitive timeline for his return, but Demko is making strides in his rehab.

“There’s no timeline for that, but he’s taking steps every day. He’s got a great attitude, and we want to make sure that he’s 100 percent before he comes back, and that’s been our mindset from Day 1.”

The 30-year-old underwent hip surgery this past January, which effectively ended his 2025-26 season. This came after Demko struggled to stay healthy and appeared in just 20 games. Behind a Canucks team that finished with the worst record in the NHL, he posted an 8-10-1 record, a 2.90 goals against average, an .897 save percentage, and one shutout. Those numbers were slightly better than his 2024-25 performance, when he started the season late while recovering from a unique injury suffered during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

With Demko’s not being able to start the season, the Canucks brought in Chris Driedger on a professional tryout contract. They have since acquired former Ottawa Senators netminder Leevi Meriläinen via the NHL waiver wire, who is projected to serve as Kevin Lankinen’s backup to start the season.

Demko is heading into the first season of his three-year contract extension, which he signed in July 2025. The deal carries an AAV of $8.5 million through the 2028-29 campaign. In 262 regular-season contests, Demko has a record of 134-99-21, with a 2.81 GAA, a .909 SV% and 10 shutouts. He’s 3-1 in five playoff appearances, with a 0.97 GAA, a .974 SV% and one shutout.

The Canucks open the 2026-27 season on Tuesday night against the Edmonton Oilers.