Bad news never stops hitting the Vancouver Canucks it seems. Thatcher Demko will be undergoing hip surgery and will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 NHL season. He has not played since January 10th, since being pulled after the first period against the Toronto Maple Leafs. “After consulting with our team doctors and outside specialists, Thatcher Demko will be shut down for the rest of the year,” said General Manager Patrik Allvin in a press release. Allvin clarified that this injury is unrelated to last year’s injury, and he will return for training camp next season.
General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that goaltender Thatcher Demko will undergo hip surgery and will not play for the remainder of the 2025.26 season.
DETAILS | https://t.co/HaCWFGccax pic.twitter.com/YCNmtCxVee
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) January 27, 2026
Demko’s Injury History
Since the 2022-23 NHL Season, Demko has been sidelined with injury on eight different occasions. Below is a timeline on his injuries up until this point.
December 3, 2022 – February 27, 2023: Groin Injury
March 11, 2023 – April 16, 2024: Knee Injury
April 23, 2024 – December 6, 2024: Knee Injury (Popliteus muscle)
January 4, 2025 – January 10, 2025: Back Injury
February 10, 2025 – March 24, 2025: Undisclosed Lower-body Injury
November 7, 2025 – November 11, 2025: “Preventative Maintenance” (Unknown Cause)
November 13, 2025 – December 11, 2025: Undisclosed Lower-body Injury
January 11, 2026 – Current: Lower-body Injury (Hip surgery needed)
Canucks’ Concern for Demko
Demko recently signed a three-year extension worth $8.5 million per season for the Canucks. This extension will kick in starting in the 2026-27 season. While he has shown that he can be an elite goaltender, as he was a Vezina finalist in the 2023-24 season, there is ample reason to be concerned. If he continues to be sidelined multiple times every season, paying Demko a salary for a starting goalie would not be a wise decision. However, now that the extension has been made, there is no going back. The team could decide to trade him at some point, but you have to wonder, how wary would other teams be of his injury history?
His injuries have definitely affected his play this season, as his numbers are significantly below his averages. He has an 8-10-1 record this season, a 2.90 goals-against-average, and a .897 save percentage. He has only played 43 games since the 2024-25 season, and as a supposed starting goalie, that would not be enough for even one normal season.
Kevin Lankinen will once again need to step up to the plate to assume the starting goaltender position for the team. He has a 7-16-4 record, a 3.44 goals-against-average, and a .884 save percentage in 28 games this season. Nikita Tolopilo and Jiri Patera will be the options as backup goalies the rest of the way, unless trades are made.
Main Photo: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
