ThatcherDemko

News: 1 day agoDemko (hip) has been designated for injured reserve, per the NHL media site Thursday.

Spin: Demko wasn't going to be ready for training camp and this latest shift would seem to indicate he won't be ready for the start of the 2026-27 campaign. With his continued injury problems, the Canucks will likely ease the veteran backstop into the lineup while relying on Kevin Lankinen.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Demko's injury history is as extensive as any goaltender in the league, and that continued last season. He made just 20 appearances for Vancouver (8-10-1, 2.90 GAA, .895 save percentage) and none after January 10. It was a hip injury that ended Demko's year and he wasn't able to get back on the ice until late June. He's played just 43 games the past two seasons combined. Demko would be a super risky fantasy option under the best of circumstances, but with the Canucks -- who finished with the worst record in the NHL a season ago -- neck-deep in a rebuild, there's simply no reason to take the plunge, especially now that he is out indefinitely heading into camp. Demko is almost certain to post mediocre numbers even if he is able to make it through most of the year in one piece.