Thatcher Demko Day-to-Day
Goaltender Jiri Patera has been called up under emergency conditions as the Vancouver Canucks face back-to-back games this weekend. The team is adjusting to the reality of Thatcher Demko being considered day-to-day.
Demko’s current situation comes after a torn popliteus muscle injury suffered in Game 1 of Vancouver’s first-round playoff series during the 2023–2024 season. That setback limited him to just 23 appearances, marking the most challenging stretch of his career statistically.
A torn popliteus muscle is rare, difficult to recover from, and may affect him long-term depending on its severity and management.
Despite the lingering effects, Demko has played a key role in keeping the Canucks competitive amid multiple team injuries. He has won five of his nine starts so far this season.
To prevent re-injury, Demko is expected to take scheduled maintenance days away from practices and games. He has started in 9 of Vancouver’s 15 games this year, projecting roughly 49 starts for the season. His .912 save percentage aligns with his career .910 average, while his 7.6 Goals Saved Above Expected places him fifth in the NHL.
Author’s Summary
Though still managing a rare knee injury, Thatcher Demko continues to anchor the Canucks’ net with consistent numbers and disciplined workload management.