The Vancouver Canucks provided an update on their injured goaltender.
Speaking to reporters Monday, head coach Manny Malhotra addressed the latest status of Thatcher Demko.
Most notably, the first-year NHL coach said, "To my knowledge, no," when asked if there was any concern Demko might not play in the 2026-27 season.
"It's a slow process for him, but he is getting better," said Malhotra about Demko's recovery from hip surgery in January 2026. "Again, don't want to put a timeline on him, but the fact he is improving daily is a positive. But we've said from Day 1 we're not in a situation where we're in a rush."
Demko was spotted at the Canucks' practice on Monday, watching from the bench.
When asked if the veteran netminder is currently on the ice at all, Malhotra answered, "In this last week, I think we dialled it back. So I think he took a couple days off the ice this (past) weekend."
Demko, who signed a three-year, $25.5-million extension with the Canucks in July 2025, went 8-10-1 with an .897 save percentage, a 2.90 goals-against average and one shutout last season over 20 games.
He missed a stretch of games from mid-November to mid-December with a lower-body injury, then returned and appeared in 10 more contests before going down again.
Vancouver, which has opened this season 2-7-1, next plays Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes at home.
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