Player Discussion Thatcher Demko

[David71]

Of course it matters whether he returns or not. Risk of recurring injury is not the same as not being able to play.

This injury sounds like something that is still bothering him that may or may not go away. The question is whether it's safe for him to play. As far as I know he has been practising and no surgery is needed. If what bothers him doesn't go away is it safe for him to play? Like is it just something he needs to play through or is it something that he will aggravate every time.

playing through it he will aggravate it every time. he could be put on ltir and let his contract run out and vancouver can find a new number 1 goalie whose capable of being healthy when needed upon.

 

[F A N]

playing through it he will aggravate it every time. he could be put on ltir and let his contract run out and vancouver can find a new number 1 goalie whose capable of being healthy when needed upon.

That's the question though. There are goalies who play through pain (e.g. Luongo later years). But playing through pain that is fairly consistent where you learn to manage/deal with it is different from an injury that say can seize up, give out/become unstable, or produce a really sharp pain at any moment.

 

[CanucksMJL]

A scenario does exist where the uncertainty of Demko's reliability/longevity/cost has the Canucks seriously considering moving forward with Lankinen.

The only way I see it not being a serious consideration is if Demko comes back as a vezina caliber goalie AND has proven to the medical staff that his unprecedented condition is squarely in the rearview mirror.

The difference in cap between the two goalies moving forward -- under most scenarios -- is likely to be several million, IMO upwards of $5M or more. With the OEL penalty increasing the difference in play between the two has to be significant enough to justify a likely huge disparity between their prospective salaries.

All that said, Lankinen needs to continue to show what he has. His pedigree suggests his play is not an anomaly.

 

[F A N]

A scenario does exist where the uncertainty of Demko's reliability/longevity/cost has the Canucks seriously considering moving forward with Lankinen.

The only way I see it not being a serious consideration is if Demko comes back as a vezina caliber goalie AND has proven to the medical staff that his unprecedented condition is squarely in the rearview mirror.

The difference in cap between the two goalies moving forward -- under most scenarios -- is likely to be several million, IMO upwards of $5M or more. With the OEL penalty increasing the difference in play between the two has to be significant enough to justify a likely huge disparity between their prospective salaries.

All that said, Lankinen needs to continue to show what he has. His pedigree suggests his play is not an anomaly.

I don't disagree with your analysis here,. It obviously largely depends on Lankinen's performance going forward and Demko's health/return.

I don't think the difference in cap hit will be upwards of $5M or more. Depending on term, an expected starter with Lankinen's resume is going to make ~$3.5-4.5M AAV. A healthy Vezina-contending Demko will get ~$8M-$8.5M. Demko with questionable health? Probably ~$6-6.5M AAV on a shorter term deal depending on games played.

I think there's quite a bit of ways to go before we are able to make any sort of informed decision.

 

[centipede2233]

It’s really sad but I don’t think demko comes back to be a regular starter, injuries on goalies are just too hard to overcome, see bishop, price, Murray and Schneider. Not one star goalie has had a rash of injuries came back and went on to a long career afterward that I can remember.