Vancouver Canucks Finally Break Silence on Thatcher Demko's Timeline to Return
Photo credit: Simon Fearn - Imagn Images.
Vancouver Canucks Head Coach Adam Foote gave a big update over the weekend regarding when fans could potentially see Thatcher Demko return to the crease.
Heading into a very important back-to-back on Saturday & Sunday against the Columbus Blue Jackets and league-leading Colorado Avalanche, the Vancouver Canucks received some unfortunate news regarding star goaltender Thatcher Demko.
Demko was not on the ice for practice on Friday as Patrik Allvin was forced to call up Jiri Patera from the American Hockey League's Abbotsford Canucks and when speaking with reporters later that day, Head Coach Adam Foote revealed that their netminder's absence was for rest/maintenance reasons and his status for both games over the weekend was unclear.
"We asked him this summer to take care of himself, and know in a condensed schedule when he feels he needs time off. And that's what he's doing." Foote said on Friday.
Vancouver Canucks' Adam Foote gives big update on when Thatcher Demko may return
Ahead of Saturday's game against the Blue Jackets, it was announced that Kevin Lankinen would get the start, while Jiri Patera was set to be the Canucks' backup, but General Manager Patrik Allvin said on After Hours with Scott Oake that Demko is a possibility for Sunday's clash with the Colorado Avalanche.
A few hours before puck drop last night, Adam Foote said that for a second straight game, Kevin Lankinen would be between the pipes, while Thatcher Demko will be scratched for rest/maintenance purposes.
While Demko wasn't suiting up on Sunday, Adam Foote did give a pretty big update on when fans can potentially see the 29-year-old back in action, saying there's a chance he could start on Tuesday night against Connor Hellebuyck and the Winnipeg Jets.
"Adam Foote says it looks like Thatcher Demko could be able to start Tuesday vs. Winnipeg." Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650 said.
Without Thatcher Demko available, the Vancouver Canucks got a couple of good performances out of Kevin Lankinen as he made 29 saves in Saturday's win and 27 saves in Sunday's overtime loss.
After a pretty poor start to the season for the Finnish netminder, his last two starts will give him a big confidence boost and hopefully, he can return to the goaltender he was for the Canucks last season amid Demko's injury issues.
Puck drop for tomorrow night's game against the Winnipeg Jets - Thatcher Demko's potential return - is set for 7 p.m. PT and can be seen on Sportsnet Pacific.
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