Vancouver will open with Kevin Lankinen in the crease while Thatcher Demko continues his long rehabilitation from January hip surgery, with the Canucks hoping their former No. 1 can return before Christmas.
Henrik Sedin, Vancouver’s co-president of hockey operations, said Monday that Demko will not be available at the beginning of the season. The club is targeting a return before the calendar turns to 2027, but Sedin stressed that the 30-year-old goalie will not be rushed.
Demko has made daily progress in his recovery, Sedin said, and has approached the work with a strong mindset. Vancouver’s priority is to have him fully healthy when he returns rather than attach a firm date to the process.
Demko underwent surgery after his final appearance last season on Jan. 10, later describing the procedure as a drastic step. He went 8-10-1 in 20 games, posting a 2.90 goals-against average, .897 save percentage and one shutout before being shut down.
The operation was intended to address the hip issue that had contributed to recurring injuries elsewhere in his body, including back, knee and groin problems. Demko said in April that his limited hip rotation over the previous two seasons had forced other parts of his body to compensate.
He remained in Vancouver through the offseason to continue his rehab and has not met with reporters since the end of last season.
After the horn
Demko was a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2023-24, but knee injuries kept him out for the end of that regular season and all but one playoff game. Across the past two seasons, he has appeared in only 43 games.
The 2014 second-round selection, taken 36th overall, owns a 134-99-21 NHL record in 262 appearances, all with Vancouver. His career numbers include a 2.81 goals-against average, .909 save percentage and 10 shutouts.
General manager Ryan Johnson reiterated Friday that the organization is deliberately avoiding a timetable. He said the club wants to handle Demko’s recovery correctly, even if that means waiting beyond any internal expectation, rather than create pressure around a projected return.
That caution helped frame Vancouver’s decision to claim Leevi Merilainen from the Ottawa Senators on waivers Friday. The 24-year-old is expected to join the Canucks for Monday’s practice and will back up Lankinen while Demko remains unavailable.
Merilainen should have a chance to earn a longer NHL look in a busy opening stretch. Lankinen is expected to start Tuesday’s season opener against the Edmonton Oilers, then take the net again for Vancouver’s home game Thursday. The Canucks then face consecutive games against the Calgary Flames on Saturday and the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday.
Merilainen went 8-10-1 with Ottawa last season, carrying a 3.51 goals-against average and .860 save percentage in 20 games. The Senators drafted him 71st overall in the third round in 2020. In 34 NHL games, including 32 starts, he has a 16-14-3 record, 3.00 goals-against average, .885 save percentage and three shutouts.
