Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko out for rest of season with hip injury

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 regular season after being diagnosed with a hip injury requiring surgery. The 30-year-old netminder, who last played on January 10 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, was pulled after allowing three goals on six shots in a 5-0 loss. 1 2 General manager Patrik Allvin announced the news, stating that Demko will undergo the procedure next week. 3

This marks another significant setback for one of the NHL’s premier goalies, who has battled injuries in recent years. Demko finishes the season with an 8-10-1 record, a 2.90 goals-against average, and a .897 save percentage over 20 appearances. 4 The Canucks, already struggling at 17-30-5 with 39 points—the fewest in the league—now turn to Kevin Lankinen as their primary option in net.

Demko’s injury-plagued 2025-26 campaign

Demko’s season got off to a rocky start after returning from previous ailments. He missed time from November 11 to December 11 with a lower-body issue before suiting up again. 3 His most recent outing against Toronto highlighted the struggles, as he was replaced by Lankinen early in the game.

The hip injury is unrelated to last season’s problem that sidelined him, according to team medical staff. Allvin emphasized a positive recovery outlook, noting Demko should be ready for training camp in September. 2 This surgery represents the latest chapter in a string of health challenges for the former Vezina finalist.

Prior to this season, expectations were high for Demko paired with Lankinen (7-16-4, 3.44 GAA). Yet, the tandem has not delivered, contributing to Vancouver’s slide.

Backup options like Nikita Tolopilo and Jiri Patera may see increased action as the Canucks push through a grueling schedule.

Demko’s one shutout this year stands as a bright spot amid otherwise subpar numbers compared to his elite standards.

A pattern of setbacks for the star netminder

Demko’s brilliance shone brightest in 2023-24, when he posted a 35-14-2 record, 2.45 GAA, and .918 save percentage. That effort powered the Canucks to the Pacific Division title with 109 points and a playoff return after three years away. 1

He earned a Vezina Trophy finalist nod but suffered a lower-body injury in the first round versus Nashville, missing the rest of the postseason. Vancouver reached the second round, falling one win short of the Western Conference finals.

Last season (2024-25) brought more turmoil. Returning in December 2024, Demko played 17 games before a February injury delayed him until March. The team missed the playoffs by six points for the final wild-card spot.

This year’s issues echo that pattern, with the hip problem emerging after his January 10 exit. At 30, questions linger about long-term durability for the Boston College product.

Despite the hurdles, Demko signed a three-year, $25.5 million extension on July 1, 2025, signaling the organization’s faith in his upside. 3

Vancouver’s nightmarish season unfolds

The Canucks have endured their most challenging year in franchise history. They haven’t topped .500 since mid-October and own four three-game losing streaks, including a brutal 11-game skid from December 30 to January 19. 1

A blockbuster December 12 trade saw captain Quinn Hughes—last year’s Norris winner—sent to Minnesota for Zeev Buium, Marco Rossi, Liam Ohgren, and a first-round pick. Vancouver won the first three post-trade games but lost 13 of the next 15.

They snapped the long streak with a January 21 victory over Washington but dropped two straight since, including a 3-2 defeat to Pittsburgh. 4

Injuries have decimated the roster. Brock Boeser and Buium joined injured reserve Monday, alongside Derek Forbort (potentially season-ending), Rossi, and now Demko.

During the slump, leading scorer Kiefer Sherwood was dealt to the San Jose Sharks, part of a broader roster shakeup.

Eight points behind 31st-place St. Louis, Vancouver eyes the draft lottery. 3

Trade deadline moves and injury woes compound struggles

The Hughes blockbuster was the season’s splashiest deal, aiming to retool around youth. Yet, acquired pieces like Buium (now hurt) and Rossi haven’t stabilized the blue line or center depth.

Sherwood’s departure to San Jose stripped away a key offensive threat amid the freefall. Further moves loom as the March deadline approaches.

Lankinen, fresh off Finland’s 2026 Olympic roster nod, shoulders the load now. His .884 save percentage reflects team-wide issues more than individual failure.

Forbort’s October injury and Chytil’s concussion recovery add to the chaos. The Canucks’ 39 points underscore a defense leaking goals.

This injury-riddled stretch mirrors broader disarray, from coaching questions to fan frustration.

Rebuilding whispers grow louder as lottery odds favor a high pick.

Path forward: Draft dreams and summer reset

Vancouver holds the best odds for the No. 1 draft selection, a rare chance in franchise lore. They last had it in 1999, trading down to nab Daniel and Henrik Sedin at Nos. 2 and 3—two legends. 1

Demko’s rehab timeline offers optimism for 2026-27. A healthy crease, paired with lottery luck, could spark turnaround.

Lankinen’s experience stabilizes the interim, but playoffs seem distant with 28 games left.

Allvin’s steady hand guided past success; now, it navigates rock bottom. For full details, see the official Canucks announcement. 2

The focus shifts to development, trades, and lottery ping-pongs. What it means for Vancouver: a potential franchise pivot, banking on youth and a mended Demko to reclaim contention.