Latest news with #Demko
Vancouver Sun
03-06-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Canucks: The Thatcher Demko dilemma of injury versus durability, pay versus trade
How much is too much? If you're the Vancouver Canucks ' braintrust, assessing long-term competitiveness and compensation for starting goaltender Thatcher Demko is like the Rubik's Cube. Trying to properly align all sides can be tedious. At his best, Demko is among the NHL's elite stoppers, and a Vezina Trophy finalist nomination in 2024 spoke to superiority when healthy. In 51 games in 2023-24, before being sidelined by a freak popliteus knee-muscle strain, he posted career-best 2.45 goals-against average, .918 saves percentage and five shutouts. And there's the rub. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. From career hip, groin and knee ailments — plus that mysterious popliteus predicament at back of his knee in April of 2024 — a string of setbacks have tested the resolve to endure arduous rehabilitations. Demko did the work and nothing is impeding preparation for a heightened level of readiness next season. However, it's the unknown that makes durability and contract-extension parameters a double dilemma for management. Demko, 29, has a year remaining on his expiring extension at a $5-million US salary-cap hit, and his camp can start talking contract on July 1. But it would be prudent for the Canucks to first see how Demko starts the 2025-26 season. Could that popliteus problem pop up again? Or is it something athletes can play through and manage? 'It's such a rare injury, but it could occur again if he were to have a movement or contact that causes the injury,' B.C. physician Dr. Harjas Grewal told Postmedia on Monday. 'Some of the ways it could happen are direct contact to the outer knee, or even just rotation of his knee while it's flexed. 'Most muscles in the leg work to move the knee forward and backward. The popliteus is unique and important in starting flexion of the knee. To get into a butterfly, or any other position, the initial bending of the knee is initiated by the popliteus. 'These types of plays happen a lot, and this injury is so rare that it would shock me to happen again. In terms of prevention, there's not much he could do outside of regular strengthening exercises and ensuring he has good mobility. 'Managing his workload helps to reduce risk, but that's true for essentially all muscular injuries.' Demko missed 15 games this season with an undisclosed Feb. 8 ailment, but had an encouraging run before that setback. A 3-1-1 run featured an encouraging 1.25 GAA, .952 saves percentage, and a shutout. How the Canucks' crease conundrum plays out is like that Rubik's Cube. Kevin Lankinen, 30, has a five-year extension at $4.5 million in annual average value kicking in next season. And Arturs Silovs , 24, has a year left on his deal at $850,000 before becoming a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. However, Silovs is not waiver-exempt next season, and that's where it gets interesting in the big picture. In theory, Demko and Lankinen form the tandem and Silovs gets more seasoning in Abbotsford. The Canucks could carry three stoppers, but that's awkward for practice, playing time and taking up a roster spot. The kicker is what Demko's camp believes is a fair extension. He wants to remain in Vancouver and has put up numbers than warrant a market-value raise. Salary is negotiable, but length will be an obstacle. Demko would obviously want long-term security and the Canucks could play the caution card. Linus Ullmark, 31, could be a contract comparable. He had an expiring cap hit of $5 million this season and then his four-year, $33-million extension kicks in with the Ottawa Senators. It carries an $8.25 million cap hit. Ullmark has played 297 career regular-season games with a 2.54 GAA., .917 saves percentage and 13 shutouts. He won the Vezina Trophy in 2023. Demko has logged 242 games with a 2.80 GAA., .910 percentage and nine shutouts. The Canucks could also consider a trade because Demko doesn't have movement protections, but that's a very slippery slope. Lankinen and Silovs might not measure up as a reliable duo, even if healthy. Lankinen did hit career highs this season for wins (25), GAA (2.62), and shutouts (four) in 51 games. But he had struggles in March by allowing four, five and six goals in sub-standard outings. That's where workload and another veteran to share the cage is vital. Lankinen did set an NHL record by winning his first 10 road starts, so the good far outweighs the concerns. As for Silovs, he has had a season of AHL rejuvenation — especially with five postseason shutouts to get Abbotsford to the Western Conference Final for the first time in franchise history — but how that plays out in the NHL is the big unknown. Silovs was suspect in an NHL season opening 6-5 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames on home ice, a nervous night where the Canucks blew 3-0 and 4-1 leads. It wasn't any better in a 6-0 drubbing by the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 31 in which Silovs faced just 22 shots. It all led to a 2-6-1 record, bloated 3.65 GAA and paltry .861 saves percentage. He had to learn to calm down an aggressive and acrobatic game, control rebounds and track pucks better from a distance and through screens. To his credit, he did finish this AHL regular season with a 14-5-1 mark, 2.41 GAA, .908 saves percentage and five shutouts. bkuzma@
Vancouver Sun
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
It's another Arty party as Šilovs adds to stellar playoff in Abbotsford Canucks' net
There's something about Artūrs Šilovs and the playoffs it seems. Šilovs was superb pinch hitting in the Vancouver Canucks ' net in last year's NHL post-season, and he's shining once again this time around in the AHL playoffs for the Abbotsford Canucks . The 24-year-old Latvian made 22 saves in a 2-0 win over the Colorado Eagles before an announced crowd of 6,158 at the Abbotsford Centre Friday night to open the best-of-five AHL Pacific Division final. Game 2 is Sunday (6 p.m.) in Abbotsford , and the series shifts to Colorado after that, starting with Game 3 Wednesday. Abbotsford and Colorado are among the eight teams still standing in the AHL playoffs. Šilovs has stopped 76-of-77 (. 987 save percentage) in Abbotsford's last three games. Abbotsford ended off the last round with wins of 3-1 and then 2-0 over the Coachella Valley Firebirds. He was named the game's first star in all three of those outings. 'He's been a rock back there,' Abbotsford captain Chase Wouters told the media afterwards. 'He's doing it for us out there right now and that's what it takes this time of year.' "Being in the right spots and being above that speed, not allowing them to transition and get those numbers up there." Head Coach Manny Malhotra addressed the media following tonight's 2-0 win over the Colorado Eagles. FULL MEDIA | Abbotsford got a second-period marker from centre Ty Mueller to open the scoring and then an empty-net goal in the waning seconds from defenceman Victor Mancini on Friday. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Former Vancouver Giants goalie Trent Miner made 22 saves for the Eagles, who are the farm club of the Colorado Avalanche. The Eagles were the top-scoring team in the AHL during the regular season, averaging 3.47 goals per game. Colorado (43-21-5-3) finished first in the Pacific Division, two points ahead of runner-up Abbotsford (44-24-2-2). The Canucks did go 6-2-0-0 against the Eagles in their regular season series. Šilovs was thrust into playoff duty last year with Vancouver after injuries sidelined both Thatcher Demko and Casey DeSmith , and he wound up with a 2.91 goals against average and a .898 save percentage in 10 appearances. With Demko injured and DeSmith departing as a free agent, Šilovs had a chance for an extended run in the Vancouver cage off the top of this season. But he gave up 15 goals in his first three starts, free agent addition Kevin Lankinen flourished and Šilovs was sent to the minors when Demko was healthy. Šilovs was 2-6-1, with a 3.65 goals against average and an .861 save percentage with Vancouver this season. Šilovs and Nikita Tolopilo split duties with Abbotsford in the regular season. Šilovs was 14-5-1, with a 2.41 goals against average and a .908 save percentage. In these AHL playoffs, Šilovs is 6-1, with a 1.50 goals against average and a .942 save percentage. Tolopilo has one relief appearance in the post-season so far, coming on to start the second period in what wound up being a 5-4 overtime loss to Coachella Valley in Game 2 of the last round. SEwen@ @SteveEwen
Reuters
15-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Canucks to sit G Thatcher Demko (illness) for season finale vs. Knights
April 15 - The Vancouver Canucks will sit goaltender Thatcher Demko and defenseman Derek Forbort for the season finale on Wednesday against the visiting Vegas Golden Knights. Demko, 29, has missed the previous two games because of illness for the Canucks (38-29-14, 90 points), who did not qualify for the postseason. Forbort, 33, missed Monday's 2-1 overtime win over visiting San Jose after breaking his orbital bone during a fight with Minnesota's Yakov Trenin in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss at home to the Wild. Canucks coach Rick Tocchet said before Monday's game that there was no reason to play Demko, who has missed time due to injury or illness on four occasions this season. He sat out training camp and the first 24 games to start the season while recovering from a knee injury sustained on April 21, 2024, in the opener of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against Nashville. Demko made his debut on Dec. 10, missed two games because of back spasms in January and 15 games over six weeks following a lower-body injury against Toronto in February. "He does feel great body-wise," Tocchet said. "I think this is the first summer he's going to go in without having to do a surgery. I think it's all positive with Thatcher. He's at a good place mentally, (and) he's got a good team going for his training." Demko's last game was April 8, a 6-5 overtime win on the road against the Dallas Stars. He went 10-8-3 this season with a 2.90 goals-against average and .889 save percentage in 23 games. A two-time All-Star, Demko has spent his entire career with Vancouver, which selected him in the second round of the 2014 NHL Draft. He is 126-89-20 for his career with a 2.80 GAA and .910 save percentage. He finished second in the Vezina Trophy voting in 2023-24, when he was 35-14-2 with a 2.45 GAA and .918 save percentage. Tocchet said of Forbort's injury: "You don't want a guy like that starting the summer like that. He's a big part of our team." Forbort, who can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, has 11 points (two goals, nine assists) with 45 penalty minutes, 77 blocks and 65 hits while averaging 17:06 of ice time in 54 games this season. He has 19 goals, 87 assists, 344 penalty minutes, 936 blocks and 923 hits while averaging 19.06 on the ice in 550 games for the Los Angeles Kings (2015-20), Calgary Flames (2020), Winnipeg Jets (2020-21), Boston Bruins (2021-24) and Canucks.
Reuters
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Canucks ride 5-goal first period to win over Ducks
April 5 - Brock Boeser had a goal and an assist for the Vancouver Canucks in a 6-2 win against the visiting Anaheim Ducks on Saturday afternoon. Elias N. Pettersson scored his first NHL goal, Filip Hronek, Conor Garland, Dakota Joshua and Max Sasson also scored, Quinn Hughes had two assists and Thatcher Demko made 30 saves for the Canucks (35-28-13, 83 points), who ended a three-game skid (0-2-1). Vancouver is six points back of the second Western Conference wild-card spot. Troy Terry and Trevor Zegras scored and Lukas Dostal made 20 saves for the Ducks (33-35-8, 74 points), who have dropped three of four. Terry scored his 20th goal of the season to give Anaheim a 1-0 lead at 1:21 of the first period, fitting the puck between Demko and the short-side post from the right circle, but the Canucks came back with five straight goals in a 4:30 span of the first. Pettersson, playing in his 22nd NHL game, joined the rush and scored with a one-timer from the high slot to tie it 1-1 at 9:40. Hronek gave Vancouver a 2-1 lead when his shot from just inside the blue line deflected off the stick blade of Zegras before hitting the net at 10:46. The Canucks were on their first power play when Boeser scored on a deflection from the slot to make it 3-1 at 11:32. Vancouver went back on a power play and Garland scored when a rebound went off his leg and into the crease before he pushed it across the goal line for a 4-1 lead at 13:25. Joshua then scored from in close to make it 5-1 at 14:10, prompting a timeout from Ducks coach Greg Cronin, but Dostal remained in the game. The Ducks cut it to 5-2 at 2:49 of the second after Radko Gudas took a slap shot that went wide, but the rebound kicked off the end boards and came out the other side to Zegras, who shot the puck into the open side of the net before Demko could slide over. Sasson scored on a breakaway at 5:33 of the third to re-establish a four-goal lead at 6-2.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Canucks: Playoff push is Thatcher Demko's affirmation, Linus Karlsson's latest audition
Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko knows affirmation of his game and health being in a good place depends on how the remainder of the NHL regular season plays out. Canucks winger Linus Karlsson knows his latest audition to be more than a recall option for the Vancouver Canucks makes every night a Game 7 test of skill, will and consistency. For the veteran starting goaltender and improving winger, a narrow path toward the post-season has little margin for a misstep. One bad goal or bad turnover can lead to a crushing loss. After all, had the Canucks' chances of advancing to the playoffs at just 7.7 per cent heading into Wednesday's test against the upset-motivated Seattle Kraken. It's an ominous odyssey to beat overwhelming odds, but Demko is up for it. Injuries and rehab in a season gone sideways are motivation to prove his worth now and in the future. He has another season remaining on a five-year, $25-million US extension. Demko returned from his latest setback on March 24 at New Jersey. After missing 15 games with an undisclosed ailment, he was solid in a 4-3 shootout win. He finished with 22 saves in regulation and a big one in overtime. That victory was crucial, but the Canucks may have to nearly run the table in seven remaining games after facing the Kraken — and need a wild-card club to hit the skids — to keep their playoff hopes alive. 'These are the games you want,' stressed Demko, who has been limited to 21 appearances this season. 'You're never really comfortable coming back. That's part of it. You just have to trust in your preparation and compete as hard as you can. 'We know the position we're in, and it's not necessarily a favourable one. Focus on one game at a time. Things can change quick.' It has tested the collective resolve in absence of injured centres Filip Chytil and Elias Pettersson, plus winger Nils Hoglander. 'Proud of the guys. As a group, we've gone through a lot this year,' added Demko. 'Not an easy situation with guys out, but I feel our effort has been there every game. We haven't mailed it in.' The school of hard knocks is easier to endure when with the right tutors. Linus Karlsson had an extended conversation with Daniel Sedin before an optional game-day skate Wednesday. For an NHL hopeful, it was master-class instruction from a Hockey Hall of Fame winger, who knew how to work the walls and find the net. And his twin brother, Henrik, was pretty good, too. 'Both Daniel and Hank have been incredible ever since I came here,' stressed Karlsson. 'I was more of a half-wall guy, and the power play and working down low has been a good fit. 'And that's where Daniel and Hank have been good with details around the net, tips, and finding the soft areas. That's were I will grow the most. That's where I've scored my goals in Abbotsford and even my two goals up here.' Add AHL tutelage from Abbotsford head coach Manny Malhotra, who has guided the affiliate to a franchise record 10-straight wins, and there's a notable upbeat tone in the 25-year-old Karlsson. He signed a one-year, $775,000 extension on March 14, but won't be waiver-exempt next season, and becomes a restricted free agent with arbitration rights when the deal expires. A strong training camp and preseason to crack the Canucks' roster next fall, and avoid being plucked off the waiver wire, is the obvious goal. It means treating these games like the playoffs and making the right impression. 'Every game I've been up here is like a playoff game for me,' said Karlsson, who has logged 16 at the NHL level. 'I have to bring something every game so they see what I could bring to this team. Make sure I'm on guys, set screens, be around the net and be good defensively.' Karlsson was buoyed by scoring his first NHL goal Jan. 29 in Nashville by getting to the net to pot the winner in a 3-1 decision. He has had 24- and 23-goal seasons in Abbotsford, but those totals are hard to replicate in the NHL. You need a complete game. 'I found something,' added Karlsson. 'I'm trying to be good on the forecheck and the walls. I'm not the most skilled guy and just trying to find my role.' Maholtra would applaud the Nashville accomplishment because getting Karlsson to shoot more in tight is just as important as other details away from the puck. 'He's pushing me to be more of a leader and that's helping me more in my game,' said Karlsson, who has 34 AHL points (21-13) in 30 games this season. As for Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet, the directive to Karlsson isn't complicated but requires continuous effort. 'He's added that sticky-guy element and can get to the net and win board battles,' said Tocchet. 'This time of year that's important. And now we're looking for consistency and that's hard to do every night.' bkuzma@ Canucks prospect rankings: Anthony Romani looks like a draft steal Canucks vs. Kraken Game Day: Quinn Hughes knows the pain game of playoff pursuit
