On yesterday’s episode of Canucks Conversation, David Quadrelli and Harman Dayal discussed the first day of Canucks’ training camp in Penticton, with a focus on Thatcher Demko’s current status.
To date, the media has been mostly kept in the dark regarding the exact situation with the Canucks’ #1 goaltender. However, on the first day of Vancouver’s training camp, we finally got an update, with Demko himself addressing the media earlier today.
“I hit a bit of a wall in the summer as far as the recovery went, and we saw a lack of progress for a couple of months. But in the last two or three weeks, we’ve seen a ton of progress, and we’re confident in where I am right now,” Demko said during his media availability session.
“While it’s promising that he’s making progress and ramping up the rigor of his on-ice training, ultimately, when you’re talking about no timeline for return and an unprecedented injury, this is still looming large as a concern,” Harm noted. “The goaltending of this team, Demko’s availability, and even what he looks like when he returns—all of that is still a huge question mark.”
“This isn’t just physical; it’s going to be a mental battle,” Quads added. “The level of rehab, how hard he’s been working, the setbacks, the uncertainty, the frustration, and the lack of research—it’s going to take a lot of mental fortitude for him to come back and be successful. The way he handled today as a whole is a promising sign that he has what it takes to deal with the challenges ahead.”
Vancouver has been exploring the goalie market since learning the severity of Demko’s injury. The biggest name still available is Kevin Lankinen—the 29-year-old Finn who spent the last two years backing up Juuse Saros in Nashville, posting a .904 save percentage in 24 games last season. Lankinen entered free agency this offseason after Nashville secured Saros with a long-term deal, as he looks to prove himself as a number-one option.
“We don’t know when Demko will be back, so you have to be prepared to enter the season with Silovs and Patera as your combo. But I’ll say it: the Canucks need Kevin Lankinen, and Kevin Lankinen needs the Canucks. Training camps have opened and he’s on his couch,” Quads said.
The final takeaway from Demko’s media session, as Harm noted, was his apparent acknowledgment of the restrictions he may need to impose on himself once he returns to 100%.
“He definitely conceded to the idea that, when he comes back, he’s going to have to reinvent the way he trains and alter some habits,” Harm said. “He alluded to the fact that he only has one gear, and that’s to go as hard as possible. That’s not just in how he practices and trains but also in the workload he desires as a workhorse number-one goaltender. I think he’s realizing there’s a balance between wanting to work hard and fulfill his potential, but also making sure his body holds up. The most important part is that he’s available to play games in the first place.”
You can watch the full replay of the show below:
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