What Happened
Vancouver Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra told reporters Monday that he has no concern goaltender Thatcher Demko will miss the 2026-27 season. Demko is recovering from hip surgery performed in January 2026, and Malhotra described the process as slow but said Demko is improving daily. Malhotra said the team will not put a timeline on his return and is not rushing him. Demko watched Monday's practice from the bench.
Key Details
- Malhotra said there is no concern Demko will miss the 2026-27 season.
- Demko had hip surgery in January 2026 and is progressing daily, per Malhotra.
- The Canucks are not setting a return timeline and say they are not rushing him.
- Malhotra said Demko's on-ice work was dialled back in the past week, with a couple of days off the ice over the weekend.
- Demko signed a three-year, $25.5-million extension in July 2025.
- He posted an 8-10-1 record, .897 save percentage, 2.90 goals-against average and one shutout in 20 games last season.
What It Means
Demko remains a central piece of Vancouver's goaltending plan after signing a three-year, $25.5-million extension in July 2025. His limited 2025-26 season, which included a lower-body injury absence from mid-November to mid-December, makes his recovery a key variable for the club. The Canucks' stated reluctance to set a timeline leaves his availability for the start of 2026-27 uncertain.
What's Next
Demko's return to full on-ice work will be monitored as the Canucks prepare for the 2026-27 season, with no timeline set by the team.