The Vancouver Canucks have recalled goaltender Jiri Patera from AHL Abbotsford under emergency conditions. General manager Patrik Allvin announced the move on Friday morning, less than an hour before the Canucks’ practice at Rogers Arena.

Here’s some context added by CanucksArmy and Rink Wide Vancouver’s Irfaan Gaffar:

“Sounds like it’s just part of a maintenance plan with Demko. They play back-to-back this weekend, and it’s good to have Patera there. Demko doesn’t need to be on the ice every day. We’ll see where it goes.”

Obviously, Thatcher Demko’s health is always a hot-button topic in Vancouver. When he’s healthy, Demko has proven that he can perform at a level that puts him in the Vezina conversation as one of the league’s truly elite netminders. However, he has struggled to stay healthy at points throughout his career. Most recently, Demko’s injury suffered in Game 1 of the 2023-24 playoffs held him out to begin the 2024-25 season. Upon returning, Demko missed more time due to injury on two separate occasions, resulting in him playing in just 23 games and posting a save percentage of .889 — well below his typical standards.

The Canucks signed Demko to a three-year contract extension this past offseason, which will see him be paid $8.5 million per year through the 2028-29 season. Demko has been sharp to begin the new campaign, posting a .928 save percentage through his first seven starts of the season. His past two starts have seen a slight drop off, as Demko allowed four goals for the first time this season in the Canucks’ loss to the Minnesota Wild. In his next start against the Nashville Predators, Demko also gave up four goals, but the Canucks went on to win in overtime. Demko’s save percentage now sits at .912 on the season.

The Canucks play back-to-back games this weekend, with the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Colorado Avalanche visiting Rogers Arena.

We will get more clarity on the goaltending situation after today’s Canucks practice, so be sure to check back later today for Jeff Paterson’s Scenes from Canucks Practice report!