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Insider reveals when Canucks’ Thatcher Demko will return
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Insider reveals when Canucks’ Thatcher Demko will return

The Vancouver Canucks were patiently waiting for Thatcher Demko to return in 2024-25 – and they may not be without their star goaltender much longer. Demko could be back in the lineup later in November, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported Friday.

“There is growing hope that Thatcher Demko will be back for the Vancouver Canucks before the end of November. It’s a big step forward,” the hockey insider said. “You saw him join the boys for optional morning practice in Los Angeles yesterday. From now on, the goal will be to stack two weeks of solid practice. Demko feels pretty good. He feels confident, as if he has reached a milestone.

Demko was back on the ice and shooting of his Canucks teammates at morning skate before a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday. Although he has yet to participate in full training, this is the next step in the American’s recovery, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger.

“He did his goaltending practices, he skated and he made shots, but he didn’t practice with the whole group,” he said. “We hope Thatcher will return to full team training this week. Then after that you start watching a countdown. Now, are we talking about several days?

“Are we still talking in the week-to-week category? One thing we know here is that it’s pretty obvious that the Vancouver Canucks aren’t going to push Thatcher Demko. They don’t really feel the need. He has been working in the background to ensure that his problem will not turn into a bigger problem in the future.

Demko’s impending return to the lineup is huge for this club, but Vancouver has benefited from excellent goaltending from Kevin Lankinen in the meantime.

Kevin Lankinen was excellent in the absence of Thatcher Demko

Vancouver Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen (32) makes a save in the first period against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

After a heroic performance in last year’s playoffs, Arturs Silovs has struggled mightily in his three starts in 2024-25; he managed a horrible .797 save percentage and a 5.00 goals-against average.

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But Lankinen proved to be a savvy signing for general manager Patrik Allvin. The Finnish goaltender has helped the Canucks go 7-0-2 in his nine starts, adding a fantastic .923 save percentage and 2.08 goals-against average.

The 29-year-old has done his job and more in front of the post, and he’s a big reason why Vancouver is 7-2-3 and third place in the Pacific Division. Still, Demko was a Vezina Trophy finalist last season, and his return will be a huge boost to a strong Canucks roster. If all goes well, it looks like this return could only take a few weeks.

It’s been a bumpy road since Demko suffered a mysterious knee injury in Game 1 of the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but it appears the long road to recovery is finally coming to an end — to the delight of Canucks fans. .

Vancouver will look to win its fourth straight game when the Edmonton Oilers visit Rogers Arena on Saturday night. This is the first of a six-game home series for the Canucks.