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Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko makes his feelings known about returning to lineup after long absence
After a long six-and-a-half months on the sidelines with a knee injury, Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko is set to make his return.
Vancouver's GM Patrik Allvin announced that Demko has been taken off injured reserve. He will join up as the backup goalie when the Canucks take on the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night.
The netminder has not played since late April when he suffered the knee injury in Game 1 of their playoff series against the Nashville Predators. Demko has been working his way back ever since. He rejoined team practices and has made it clear he is eager to get back on the ice in a game.
“Yeah, obviously been looking forward to it for a while now,” Demko said on Thursday via NHL.com. “I’ve told you guys plenty of times I’m a guy that is pretty day-to-day.Obviously I’m looking at the schedule and I’m in a position now to kind of look down the road and see what’s ahead. So it’s been good.”
The time off has given Demko the perspective on taking care of his body and managing his preparation:
“Sometimes that's a little torturous when you know a little too much maybe about the body and trying to perfect routines and things like that."
He believes he can make adjustments in his preparation and workload management, focusing on non-game days like practice sessions or goalie-specific training to improve his self-management.
Demko will back up goaltender Kevin Lankinen on Friday against Columbus, but it is possible he could start on Sunday when the Canucks host the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Thatcher Demko discusses goaltender Kevin Lankinen's performance in his absence
Kevin Lankinen, who signed with the Canucks after training camp started, has gone 12-3-3 this season including winning an NHL record 10 straight road games to begin the year. His .906 save percentage has helped fill the void left by Thatcher Demko.
According to Demko, Lankinen's strong play has made it easier for him not to rush back from injury.
"I want to give 'Lanks' all the credit in the world, he's been unbelievable," Demko said. "For me, I'm managing my expectations a bit. I think it'd be foolish to say I'll come back and be perfectly sharp with my A-game in Game One. That takes time just seeing game reps.
"The way 'Lanks' has played takes a bit of pressure off myself to come in and feel like I have to save the world," he added.
Lankinen's performance has given Thatcher Demko the luxury of not rushing back before he is fully ready to return to action.
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