Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko is nearing his comeback after several injuries this season. Demko believes these issues are linked to his knee injury from last summer, which disrupted his off-season training.
Demko, a Vezina Trophy finalist last year, practiced fully with the Canucks on Sunday for the first time since his latest lower-body injury on February 8th. He has only played 17 games this season, missing 18 due to injury since December.
“It’s been a difficult year,” Demko admitted, highlighting that he felt unprepared for the season due to his knee rehabilitation. He explained that his recovery was not gradual, impacting his ability to build strength and conditioning during the off-season.
Demko emphasized the lessons learned from this challenging period, viewing them as valuable for his future career. He is now focused on having a solid summer to properly prepare for the next season.
The Canucks have faced numerous setbacks this season, including recent injuries to key players Elias Pettersson and Nils Hoglander. These injuries compound the team`s struggles, which began with Demko`s initial injury.
Demko stated his knee injury was a major issue, and he felt rushed to return to play. He now feels good and strong and looks forward to a full, uninterrupted summer for training.
With 12 games left, the Canucks are just three points outside a playoff spot. Despite a recent loss to the New York Rangers, where they were heavily outshot, the team`s playoff hopes remain alive. The injuries to Pettersson and Hoglander have further tested the team`s resilience.
Coach Rick Tocchet indicated that Pettersson and Hoglander are sore but haven`t been ruled out for the next game. Demko`s return could provide a timely boost. He might be ready to back up goalie Kevin Lankinen soon and potentially start in the following games.
Despite the challenges, Demko remains determined to contribute to the team`s playoff push. He is proud of the team`s perseverance and wants to help them in any way he can.
Demko, who has been with the Canucks organization for a long time, is committed to contributing and feels responsible as a key player. He has played his entire NHL career with Vancouver and has one year left on his current contract.
The goaltending situation in Vancouver evolved with Lankinen`s strong performance and subsequent contract extension. This adds an interesting dynamic as Demko returns to the team.
