Canucks notes: Thatcher Demko injury and 4 more takeaways from Vancouver's media day

By Cole Shelton

Modified Sep 19, 2024 14:06 GMT

Follow Us

Share

0 Discuss

The Vancouver Canucks opened its 2024-25 NHL training camp with media day on Wednesday. During media day, the team gave some updates on injured players and also their expectations for the team.

Here are five takeaways from the Canucks media day ahead of training camp.

5 takeaways from Canucks media day

#1: Thatcher Demko will speak Thursday

Goalie Thatcher Demko ended last season with an injury and backup Arturs Silovs took over in the playoffs. With Demko having all off-season to recover, many expected him to be ready for the first game of the season.

However, Demko's status for opening night is in question. The Canucks said Demko will not be in attendance for day one of camp. However, he will speak to the media on Thursday to talk about his health situation.

#2: Coach impressed by Elias Pettersson

Elias Pettersson struggled down the stretch and in the playoffs. It was a concern for Canucks fans as he had just signed a long-term extension.

Yet, Vancouver President Jim Rutherford says he's excited about what Pettersson did in the offseason and is prepared to have a much better season.

“I'm really impressed with how he's come back in the offseason," Rutherford said, via NHL.com. "He seems to be a guy that's more relaxed and more comfortable. And for obvious reasons, last year, whether players say they think about their contracts or not, deep down, they do. Everybody does, okay?

"And this is a guy that I believe worked really hard this summer. He's done everything he can to play as a top-line player. And everybody here has seen him play, we all know how good he is. So, the expectation for him is to be one of the top players on our team."

Pettersson recorded 1 goal in 13 playoff games last season.

#3: Canucks President says depth is at an all-time high

Vancouver is a legitimate playoff contender and Rutherford believes they have more depth than ever before.

Rutherford expects this team to be hard to make, but he says that is a good thing.

“I believe that sitting here today, we definitely have more depth in the overall part of the organization. I am very pleased with the coaching staff, and Rick has mentioned the teachers that will make our players get better," Rutherford said.

The hope is that the depth pushes everyone to be better to keep their spot on the roster.

#4: Canucks focused on special teams

A focal point of training camp for the Vancouver Canucks is special teams, according to coach Rick Tocchet.

Tocchet says improving the Canucks' power play and penalty kill is an emphasis ahead of the season.

"We’ll probably dive into special teams a little bit earlier than other teams. I think a lot of guys were excited about that, I know Millsy [JT Miller] was excited about that, about doing power play a little bit earlier," Tocchet said, via CanucksArmy.

"I think that’s important, even though we have a lot of guys in camp because even in the rookie camp, I really saw some guys make some strides from last year.”

Last season, the Canucks ranked 12th in power play and 17th in penalty kill.

#5: Updates on other injuries

Canucks GM Patrik Allvin said Teddy Blueger and Cole McWard had minor surgeries on their lower bodies. Blueger is expected to miss one week, while McWard is week-to-week.

Also, Dakota Joshua will not be in attendance for the start of training camp after he had a cancerous tumor removed.