Vancouver Canucks Issue Major Change of Plans Regarding Star Goalie Thatcher Demko

Action around the National Hockey League has begun to pick up in recent days, with the Vancouver Canucks getting involved too, acquiring Evander Kane from the Edmonton Oilers and it doesn't look like Patrik Allvin will be done anytime soon.

While trades and potentially some signings on July 1st will take priority, the Vancouver Canucks have a big decision to make regarding goaltender Thatcher Demko as he becomes eligible to sign a contract extension in less than a week, and it appears it could happen pretty quickly

During an appearance on TSN 1050 radio, NHL insider Darren Dreger mentioned that the Vancouver Canucks and Thatcher Demko have made progress on a multi-year extension.

Dreger added that at this point, it's a lot more likely that the Vancouver Canucks extend Thatcher Demko than trading him, which comes as a bit of a surprise considering a month ago, reports indicated that he was open to a change of scenery.

Demko, a native of San Diego, California, had a tough year as he dealt with rehabbing an injury sustained in last year's Stanley Cup Playoffs, which delayed his season debut until early December, and then another injury in February that caused him to miss just over six weeks.

In 23 games, Demko had a 10-8-3 record along with a 2.90 goals against average, an .889 save percentage and one shutout.

With the Canucks now expected to sign Thatcher Demko to a contract extension, along with Kevin Lankinen locked up for five years, Patrik Allvin could look to cash in on Arturs Silovs' recent success and trade the Latvian netminder at some point this summer.

Arturs Silovs will become waiver eligible in the fall and with the Vancouver Canucks very unlikely to carry three goaltenders on their NHL roster, it might be a smart decision to move him now when his value is the highest.