Thatcher Demko’s future with the Vancouver Canucks looks promising, according to general manager Patrik Allvin, even after the team’s recent long-term commitment to Kevin Lankinen.
“I do think there’s room,” Allvin told Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic. “I have a lot of respect for Thatcher… I still think there’s a good chance for us to keep both of them.”
It’s been a tough year for Demko. The star goalie landed on injured reserve last month, though he’s already back practicing with the team as they chase a playoff spot.
The timing of his injury couldn’t be more challenging. Demko can sign a contract extension starting July 1, but don’t expect him to rush into anything.
Here’s why: He’s coming off a Vezina Trophy finalist season where he posted incredible numbers – a 2.45 goals against average, .918 save percentage, and five shutouts in 51 games.
With those kinds of stats, waiting makes perfect sense. A healthy comeback season could mean a much bigger payday, whether from Vancouver or another team when he becomes a free agent in 2026.
The Canucks seem determined to keep both their netminders. They just locked up Lankinen for five years, but Allvin’s comments suggest they’ve planned ahead for Demko’s next contract too.
Looking at how other NHL teams spend on their goalie tandems, Vancouver appears confident they can make the money work.
The real question is whether Demko will want to sign early or bet on himself with another stellar season. Given his track record when healthy, that’s probably a pretty safe bet.
