Latest news with #ThatcherDemko
National Post
2 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Two glaring omissions in the Canucks' current marketing campaign
Article content Plenty of people have taken note that Elias Pettersson is prominently absent from the Vancouver Canucks' current ticket sales efforts. Article content There is a Facebook advertisement that caught everyone's eye, for a start. Pettersson is not visible in it. Article content Article content And if you click on the Canucks' season ticket membership website, the video that plays at the top does not feature the visage of the team's best-paid player, just a fan sign that features his number. Article content Is this because he's on the trade block? Maybe. Is it because his image carries too much negative connotations for fans right now? Perhaps also. Article content Either way, what a spot to be in, given where Pettersson's star was 18 months ago, when he was one of the NHL's stars of the month. You can't even market the guy who is supposed to be one of your most marketable stars? Article content That's one thing to note. Article content But there's another face missing from the same imagery that should stand out more — goalie Thatcher Demko. Article content Kevin Lankinen is in the website video. But Demko, still the Canucks' No. 1 guy in the crease, is not. Article content It does make you wonder if Demko is quietly being shopped around. One league source said that trading Demko made sense to them since he is a solid trade chip, even if he is coming off multiple seasons in a row with injuries, and could help bring back the kind of No. 2 centre the Canucks openly covet. Article content Another source said management is looking to 'get rid of the emotionally soft, diva, drama-type, cancerous players, without doing a traditional rebuild.' Article content Article content Line that up as you will. Article content Article content Fans know this dressing room was a mess this past season. There has long been frustration with management and coaches over some aspects of the team culture that they inherited when president Jim Rutherford and general manager Patrik Allvin took over in 2022. Article content There was too much entitlement, they felt, amongst a group of players that had very little to show for their work to date. Sure, the 2020 bubble playoff run was an impressive thing, but that was all they had in their cap. That was the only playoff run this group had put together to that point. Article content And that's why Allvin in his first end-of-season news conference made note of what he wanted to see from his players in the future. He wanted to see more. He wanted to see a get-it-done attitude. He wanted to see players who focused on the task and got on with the job. Article content There certainly have been rumours that management has been frustrated with how some players have prepared themselves. How they have worked to get back from injury. How they have operated once they have been cleared to return.
Vancouver Sun
4 days ago
- 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@
National Post
4 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Canucks: The Thatcher Demko dilemma of injury versus durability, pay versus trade
How much is too much? Article content 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. Article content 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. Article content Article content And there's the rub. Article content 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. Article content 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. Article content Article content '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. Article content Article content '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. Article content Article content '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. Article content 'Managing his workload helps to reduce risk, but that's true for essentially all muscular injuries.' Article content 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. Article content 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.
The Province
4 days ago
- Business
- The Province
Canucks: The Thatcher Demko dilemma of injury versus durability, pay versus trade
"To get into any position, initial bending of the knee is initiated by the popliteus. These plays happen a lot and this injury is so rare that it would shock me to happen again." — B.C. physician Dr. Harjas Grewal Get the latest from Ben Kuzma straight to your inbox Paul Cotter of the Devils is denied by Thatcher Demko during second period of a 4-3 shootout win by the Canucks on March 24 in Newark, N.J. Photo by Elsa / Getty Images How much is too much? This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors 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. 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. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 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? Forward Alex Killorn of the Ducks is denied by Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko and the post during April 5 meeting at Rogers Arena. Photo by Rich Lam / Getty Images '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. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. '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. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 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. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 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. Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen blocks a shot during second period of meeting with Golden Knights on Feb. 22 in Las Vegas. Photo by John Locher (AP Photo/John Loc / AP 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. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 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@ Read More Vancouver Canucks Sports Vancouver Canucks News News
CBC
31-03-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Teammates 'wowed' after Perfetti fires wrist shot past Vancouver in Jets' 3-1 victory
Cole Perfetti got rewarded for not giving up. Perfetti's third-period goal in a 3-1 Winnipeg Jets' victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday had the sellout crowd cheering and his teammates impressed. The 23-year-old product of Whitby, Ont., moved the puck through defenceman Derek Forbort's legs and then fired a wrist shot past Vancouver goalie Thatcher Demko. "I've tried it a couple times here and there. It's never worked out to be a goal, but I've got around the guy a couple times," said Perfetti, who recorded his 16th goal of the season. "But, yeah, it's just kind of more confidence and just experience of understanding when you know the timing of everything. Not a play that you're going to make most of the time, but once in a while it's nice to do that." Kyle Connor had a goal and an assist and Mason Appleton also scored in the team's third consecutive victory. "I think everyone kind of gives each other that wow look," Appleton said of the players' reaction to Perfetti's goal. "You don't see goals like that too often. Obviously, Fetts' is a super-skilled player. He made a great move and the finish was just as impressive. We were all wowed and looking for him to smile there." Jets lead in Western Conference, Central Division The Jets gained some valuable space between their nearest competitor in the NHL standings. Winnipeg's 106 points (51-19-4) leads the Western Conference and Central Division, six points ahead of idle Dallas. The Stars have a game in hand. The Jets also remain first overall in the league after Washington (103 points) lost 8-5 to the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday. The Capitals have a game in hand. Connor Hellebuyck made 23 saves for the Jets in front of a fifth straight sellout crowd of 15,225 at Canada Life Centre. Pius Suter scored his 22nd of the season for the Canucks (34-27-13) and Thatcher Demko stopped 24 shots as the team ended its six-game road trip with a 2-2-2 record. Vancouver is still fighting for the second wild-card spot in the conference, six points back of both the Minnesota Wild and surging St. Louis Blues, who didn't play Sunday. The Canucks and Wild each have a game in hand on the Blues. "You know the big picture, obviously," Suter said. "But you can only focus on one game at a time and just battle hard and make sure the next game we get two points out there, and then go from there. "You can't really think too much at this point about all the other teams. You've just got to win." Suter scored from the slot with 1:05 remaining in the opening period, a goal upheld after a Winnipeg challenge for offside. Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet praised his players for their effort. "I thought they played hard," he said. "Came down to kind of a goalmouth scramble. "But I thought for the most part — that's a good hockey team that has a chance to win a (Stanley) Cup, and I thought we went head-to-head with them really well." Connor tied it at 9:26 of the second to record his team-leading 38th goal of the season. He's reached 90 points for the second time in his career, three points off his career-best. After Appleton scored the 2-1 goal at 6:24 of the third, fourth-year winger Perfetti dazzled with his marker just under six minutes later. "Pretty impressive," Jets head coach Scott Arniel said of Perfetti's goal. "I'm not sure that defenceman was ready or expecting him to do that. He makes a great move, but then, that was a heck of a shot."
