June 23, 2025 | 11:58pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

CANUCKS GAUGING MARKET FOR DEMKO?

Thatcher Demko, goaltender

The Vancouver Canucks are looking to add up front and bring in additional scoring weapons to the roster this summer, and in some cases that may come at a lofty price.

Canucks GM Patrik Allvin has been exploring the trade market and engaged in talks with several clubs as he looks for upgrades in his top-six.

The Canucks are among the teams looking for a No.2 centre, as well as one or two scoring wingers. Despite reports suggesting Vancouver may be open to bringing back pending unrestricted free agent Brock Boeser, that ship appears to have sailed and Boeser is prepared to sign with a new team as early as next week once the free agent doors swing open July 1.

If the Canucks go the trade route, one piece that has started to generate interest from other clubs is goaltender Thatcher Demko, who is entering the final year of his contract.

Demko, 29, has battled injuries of late, but as TFP’s David Pagnotta reported in his column on May 30, he is back to full health and has already started training for next season.

Various reports have suggested teams like the Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks, Edmonton Oilers and Detroit Red Wings are in the market for an upgrade in net, but it is unclear if any of these four specific clubs have spoken with the Canucks about Demko.

Demko, who does not own any no-trade protection and comes with a $5 million salary cap hit, posted a 10-8-3 record in 23 games with the Canucks this past season, along with a 2.90 goals-against-average and a .889 save percentage. In 2023-24, he had a 35-14-2 record with a 2.45 GAA, a .918 save percentage and five shutouts in 51 games.

In February, the Canucks signed goalie Kevin Lankinen to a five-year, $22.5 million contract extension, which includes a full no-movement clause in the first two years of the deal.

With Lankinen locked up and Arturs Silovs guiding Abbotsford to a championship, it gives the Canucks flexibility should they decide to move Demko.