Thatcher Demko's Injury Status and Impact
Goaltender Jiri Patera has been called up under emergency conditions as the Canucks face back-to-back games this weekend. Thatcher Demko being day-to-day could become a common situation for Canucks fans moving forward.
Background on Demko's Injury
Demko suffered a torn popliteus muscle during Game 1 of Vancouver’s first-round playoff series in the 2023-2024 season. He played only 23 games last season, posting the weakest stats of his otherwise strong career.
"A torn popliteus muscle is extremely rare, difficult to recover from, and could be something he deals with for the rest of his career."
Injury Management and Performance
The severity of the injury and recovery depend heavily on management. So far, Demko has been a key reason the Canucks have avoided the bottom of the standings despite many injuries, winning five of his nine starts.
To manage the injury, Demko will likely need planned rest days from practices and games to reduce the chance of reinjury.
Season Performance
- Started 9 of 15 games this season, projecting around 49 starts for the year.
- Maintains a .912 save percentage, close to his career average of .910.
- Ranks fifth in the NHL with 7.6 Goals Saved Above Expected.
Author's Summary
Thatcher Demko's rare and challenging injury demands careful management, but he continues to perform solidly, keeping the Canucks competitive despite ongoing physical setbacks.