New Trade List Has Thatcher Demko Joining Former Canucks Head Coach Rick Tocchet in Philly
Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko has been linked to an Eastern Conference team as rumors swirl regarding his future in British Columbia.
The Vancouver Canucks have a lot of work to do this summer in order to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2026, with the need for some help in their top-six forward group and possibly a veteran depth defenseman.
If there's one area the Vancouver Canucks are set depth-wise, it's between the pipes with Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen in the NHL, while Arturs Silovs has been stealing the show down in the American Hockey League.
Eastern Conference team linked to Vancouver Canucks' Thatcher Demko
With the play of Arturs Silovs during the Calder Cup Playoffs for Abbotsford, along with the fact that Finnish netminder Kevin Lankinen is set to begin a five-year contract in the fall, the Vancouver Canucks are going to have a big decision to make with Thatcher Demko.
Demko has one year remaining on his contract with the Canucks before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in July 2026 and there's been some doubt about his future in Vancouver, leading to trade rumors in recent weeks.
Yesterday, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff had Thatcher Demko ranked 18th on his trade bait list as we head into the offseason, citing Silovs' recent play and Lankinen's contract as reasons why he could be moved by the club this summer.
"The Canucks have an interesting dilemma on their hands. They have a talented goaltender who is one of the faces of their franchise dealing with a significant injury. He battled through it and put up respectable numbers, and looked great on some nights. But the Canucks also re-signed Kevin Lankinen to a five-year extension. And Demko's deal is up after one more. Will they try to move him? Or do they like the tandem?" Seravalli said.
Seravalli also wondered if the Philadelphia Flyers could be a potential landing spot for his services, given Thatcher Demko's loyalty over the years to his now former Head Coach Rick Tocchet, who is now the bench boss in the City of Brotherly Love.
"Demko seemed awfully loyal to coach Rick Tocchet. Wondering if a reunion in Philadelphia is possible." Servalli said.
If the Vancouver Canucks and Thatcher Demko are going to go their separate ways and if the latter intends on wanting to hit the open market next summer, then Patrik Allvin should try to get ahead of the curve and trade him now, that way they don't lose him for nothing in a little over 13 months.
Source: Daily Faceoff/Frank Seravalli
Peterka, Karlsson, Andersson lead top 20 Trade Targets for NHL offseason
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| POLL | ||
MAI 28 | 1300 ANSWERS New Trade List Has Thatcher Demko Joining Former Canucks Head Coach Rick Tocchet in Philly Do you think Thatcher Demko would be a good fit for the Philadelphia Flyers? | ||
| Yes | 1086 | 83.5 % |
| No | 214 | 16.5 % |
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