Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet said Tuesday that goaltender Thatcher Demko is “really close” to being able to return for the team.
Demko last played on Dec. 1 in a 5-1 loss to the Florida Panthers, leaving the game with a lower-body injury late in the first period.
Although the initial prognosis was that Demko would be out six weeks, it ended up taking longer than expected for the 27-year-old to return.
“He’s getting really close. It’s just a matter of getting a couple good, grinding practices in front of him and then hopefully start him,” said Tocchet ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Nashville Predators.
“There’s no real target date. He’s having a really good day now, he has a couple more good days and then I think he’s ready to go. He’s doing well out there.”
Before his injury, Demko was struggling to play like his usual self, posting a 3-10-2 record, 3.93 goals-against average and .883 save percentage over 15 starts.
Tocchet confirmed Collin Delia would be starting in net Tuesday after Arturs Silovs played the last two games. Spencer Martin had filled in for much of Demko’s absence but was sent down to the Abbotsford Canucks last week.
When asked if Demko’s return would also see Silovs sent back down to the AHL, the coach confirmed the plan would likely be to get back to two regular goaltenders.
He said he hadn’t talked to president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford or GM Patrik Allvin about it, “but we’ll see how it goes with Demko first.”
The Canucks face the Predators on Tuesday evening at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. Fans can catch the game on Sportsnet Pacific or SN NOW Premium.