“Time to get rid of this band aid” – Fans react as Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko gets placed on IR

Vancouver Canucks have placed their goaltender Thatcher Demko on the injured reserve (IR) list after he got injured again a few days back.

“Time to get rid of this band aid” – Fans react as Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko gets placed on IR

Thatcher Demko (Image via The Province)

Things just keep on getting worse for Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko. On Sunday, the Canadian outfit announced that he was getting placed on the injured reserve (IR) list once again.

The 29-year-old had missed the first two months of the 2024-25 season following his injury last year. During the Stanley Cup playoffs he injured his left knee which kept him sidelined for almost eight months.

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He returned between the post in December 2024. Since his return, he went on to play in 17 games while having a 6-6-3 record. However, during the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Rogers Arena, he suffered another injury.

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Demko would leave the game midway through the first period and was replaced by Kevin Lankinen. This injury came just a few days before the 4 Nations Face-Off began. Given the two-week break, many hoped that Demko could use this break as an opportunity to rest and heal himself.

Unfortunately, it will require more time for him to get back into NHL action. The goaltender is currently expected to be week-to-week and will miss the next four road trips of the Canucks.

This move from the Canucks also comes a few days after they made a major announcement regarding Lankinen. On Friday, the team revealed that they had agreed on a 5-year $22.5 million contract extension with the goalie. Given Demko’s recent medical history, Lankinen could become the No.1 goaltender for the Canucks going forward.

Social media reacts as Thatcher Demko gets placed on IR again

Thatcher Demko getting injured had spoiled the mood of the fans just before the 4 Nations Face-Off. Now that he has been placed on the injured reserve list, fans have once again expressed their displeasure on social media.

Thatcher Demko
Thatcher Demko (Image via Imago)

Many users on X called for him to be traded by the team while pointing out his injury record. Some made some sarcastic jokes of being “shocked” to see him getting injured again. One fan meanwhile, had some strong words for him and wrote, “Time to get rid of this band aid!“.

Check out that and some other reactions from X below:

Following his return, Demko’s Goals Against Average (GAA) had increased a bit while his Save Percentage had come down. In the 17 games he has played this season, he has a 2.87 GAA while having a .891 save percentage. Last season, when he was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, Demko had a 2.45 GAA with a .918 save percentage.