Thatcher Demko Day-to-Day Status
Goaltender Jiri Patera has been called up on an emergency basis as the Canucks face back-to-back games this weekend. Fans may need to get accustomed to Thatcher Demko's day-to-day availability going forward.
Injury Background
Demko suffered a rare torn popliteus muscle during Game 1 of Vancouver’s first-round playoff series in the 2023-2024 season. This injury is difficult to recover from and may affect him throughout his career. Last season, Demko played only 23 games and posted the worst stats of his otherwise strong career.
Current Performance and Management
The severity and management of the injury are crucial. So far, Demko has been key in keeping the Canucks competitive despite multiple team injuries, winning five out of nine starts. To avoid setbacks, he likely requires planned rest days from practices and games as a preventative measure.
Season Stats
- Started 9 of 15 games this season
- Projected around 49 starts for the full season
- Maintains a .912 save percentage, consistent with his career .910 mark
- Ranks fifth in the NHL with 7.6 Goals Saved Above Expected
“A torn popliteus muscle is extremely rare, difficult to recover from, and could be something he deals with for the rest of his career.”
“Demko has been a big reason why the Canucks have not fallen into the basement of the standings with all of the injuries they have had.”
Author's summary: Despite a serious, rare knee injury limiting his appearances, Thatcher Demko remains crucial to the Canucks' performance, maintaining solid stats and requiring careful management.