Thatcher Demko is here to stay with the Vancouver Canucks. The team extended the standout goalie’s contract by three years on Tuesday. His extension is worth $25.5 million with an average annual value of $8.5 million. The Canucks have also decided to retain the services of Conor Garland, a right wing, for the next six years.
Demko has undoubtedly been a solid goaltender, registering a save percentage above .900 in six of the eight seasons he has played with the Canucks. Last season was marred by injuries to his lower body and knee, while an illness that caused him to miss the last three regular-season games. Consequently, he played only 23 games and registered a save percentage of .889.
With Demko’s recent underwhelming showing, an insider raised questions about whether the goalie is worth the big bucks.
Is Thatcher Demko of the Vancouver Canucks Worth the Splurge?
Dom Luszczyszyn of the Athletic has his qualms about the goalie and is not mincing his words. For Luszczyszyn, the days when Demko appeared worthy of that kind of gamble are in the past.
But of late, he has been trapped in a cycle of illness, injury, and recuperation that has cost him much in terms of attendance and performance. “Yes, he looked franchise-calibre two years ago, but that’s sandwiched by two years where injuries took a serious toll on his game.”
Luszczyszyn believes Demko’s stats are simply not impressive enough to command a $25.5 million contract. “After an .889 save percentage where Demko was only able to play 23 games, was an $8.5 million AAV really warranted?”
THREE MORE WITH DEMKO 🧱 #NHLFreeAgency
The @Canucks have signed Thatcher Demko to a three-year deal! pic.twitter.com/phpD2XlwAd
— NHL (@NHL) July 1, 2025
The NHL insider, however, appreciated the deal’s short-term nature. Demko’s contract is only three years long. “The Canucks did well to keep the term short given the unpredictable nature of goalies in general and with Demko in particular”.
Luszczyszyn is not wrong when he emphasizes the unpredictability that underlies Demko. His injury history is also perhaps the reason why Canucks GM Patrick Allvin has exercised caution and refrained from handing a longer deal to the goalie.
However, Luszczyszyn quickly runs out of positive things to say about the contract. He firmly believes, with that kind of cap hit, the Canucks could have landed someone else and secured a better deal. “But it does feel like they should’ve gotten a much better deal on the cap hit, considering the season Demko is coming off of.”
Demko’s fight with injuries and illnesses has been long and arduous. Given his underwhelming performances of late, it is normal to raise questions about his capabilities to lead the Canucks to the top. But could it be that the Canucks management still sees some champion potential in him? Will Demko be able to prove the naysayers wrong?
