After initial reports indicated that Thatcher Demko’s injury rehab was progressing slower than expected, Rick Dhaliwal shared some encouraging news for Canucks fans.
Last week, the NHL celebrated Goalie Week, highlighting this unique position through a variety of videos, articles, and social media content. However, during this celebration, the Vancouver Canucks’ goaltenders faced concerns among fans.
It began with the news that Demko’s recovery from a knee injury—which sidelined him during the playoffs—was taking longer than anticipated. He is likely to miss the beginning of training camp, the preseason, and possibly even the start of the regular season. Additionally, reports from Latvia confirmed that Arturs Silovs would not participate in his country’s roster for Olympic qualifiers due to “knee ligament inflammation,” which could potentially lead to a chronic condition.
Fortunately, following Goalie Week, there is a glimmer of optimism. Dhaliwal reported via ChekTV that Demko is back on the ice, indicating significant progress in his rehabilitation.
#Canucks goalie update pic.twitter.com/Q8CL3yAJLy
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) September 3, 2024
“There’s some positive news: I’m hearing that Thatcher Demko is back on the ice, skating and working out this week,” Dhaliwal stated in a video shared on Twitter. “That’s a very encouraging sign. Many believed Demko wouldn’t be ready for training camp and the preseason—his rehab this summer has been a bit slower than hoped, but seeing him skating recently is a significant boost for the Canucks and a clear sign of progress.”
It’s important to note that just because Demko is working out on the ice doesn’t mean he’ll be prepared for training camp or the regular season. For both his and the Canucks’ benefit, it’s crucial for him to take his time and return only when he’s fully healthy. One has to consider whether Demko’s “aggressive” rehabilitation approach—his own description—after his initial knee injury last season contributed to his quick setback.
Training camp is just over two weeks away, and a lot can happen in that timeframe. It will be interesting to see if Demko participates in full practices or skates individually.
Dhaliwal also mentioned that the Canucks are actively pursuing free agent Kevin Lankinen, indicating uncertainty about Demko’s recovery timeline. However, adding Lankinen could be wise even if Demko is fit to play, as recent news has highlighted the necessity of having strong goaltending depth.
Regarding Silovs, he’s en route to Vancouver, where the team will assess the severity of his knee inflammation.
“Silovs left Latvia today,” Dhaliwal reported. “He should arrive in Vancouver shortly for an evaluation by the Canucks’ medical staff.”
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