35 Thatcher Demko G

Demko signed a two-year contract extension with the Canucks on Wednesday, Irfaan Gaffar of Sportsnet reports. The deal is worth $1.05 million annually.

According to Jeff Paterson of TSN 1040 Vancouver, Demko -- who went 4-3-1 with a 2.81 GAA and .913 save percentage through nine games this season -- should make roughly one-third of the starts for the Canucks in 2019-20 as the understudy to Jacob Markstrom. Those plans could always change if injuries strike, though we at least know he's the clear frontrunner for the backup goalie gig at the expense of Richard Bachman and junior prospect Michael DiPietro.

Demko will represent Team USA in the World Championship.

The 23-year-old appeared in nine games for the Canucks this season, posting a 4-3-1 record. He's grown more comfortable with more playing time, as evidenced by him posting a .943 save percentage or better in his three most recent contests. Demko will head to the World Championship, giving him another opportunity for playing time and to further continue his development.

Demko made 34 saves in a 3-2 shootout loss to St. Louis on Saturday.

The game was tied at one until the halfway mark of the third period. Demko is the Orcas' man of the future and he has performed exceptionally well of late. This was his third consecutive game with a save percentage of .943 or higher. The talent is real. So is Demko's fantasy value, although Jacob Markstrom remains under contract for one more season.

Demko will start Saturday's road game against the Blues.

Demko has been on a roll recently, picking up back-to-back wins over the Kings and Sharks while posting an admirable 1.92 GAA and .946 save percentage over that span. The 23-year-old American will look to end the campaign with a bang by picking up his fifth win of the year in a road matchup with a St. Louis team that's 23-15-2 at home in 2018-19.

Demko stopped 33 of 35 shots in a 4-2 win over the Sharks on Tuesday.

Demko gave up both goals in the first period, but stopped all 23 shots he faced over the final two frames to put the Canucks in position to win. Demko improved to 4-3-0 with a 2.94 GAA and a .909 save percentage. The Canucks finish the season on the road versus Nashville on Thursday and St. Louis on Saturday. Both of those teams are playoff-bound, but will probably have seeding to consider, making Demko a risky option if he draws either start.

Demko will start in the home net Tuesday against the Sharks,

Demko continues to share the net with Jacob Markstrom down the stretch and gets a tough one Tuesday night against a Sharks club that will likely feature Joe Pavelski (undisclosed) in his return from a seven-game absence. Demko has fared reasonably well in his last four appearances, posting a 2-1-0 record, 2.60 GAA and .917 save percentage.

Demko stopped 37 of 39 shots in Thursday's 3-2 shootout win over the Kings.

Both Demko and Kings goalie Jonathan Quick were peppered throughout the night, but Demko prevailed by stopping all four shootout attempts. Demko improved to 3-3-0 with a 3.08 GAA and a .903 save percentage. The rookie goalie may see more starts once the Canucks are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.

Demko will start in goal Thursday against the visiting Kings, Farhan Lalji of TSN reports.

The 6-foot-4, 192-pound rookie's numbers look ugly on paper, as he's posted a 3.31 GAA and .893 save percentage over six games this season, but he's actually only fallen flat in two games to date. Demko is now preparing to take on a Kings team with the fewest amount of team points (64) in the Western Conference, so a rebound very well could be in store for the 23-year-old.

Demko yielded five goals on 33 shots in Sunday's 5-0 loss to the Blue Jackets.

It's a critical blow to already thin playoff hopes for the Canucks, coming just one night after Jacob Markstrom lost 3-1 to the Flames. Demko's record dropped to 2-3-0 with a 3.31 GAA and an .893 save percentage. Markstrom will see starts as long as the Canucks have a chance, but expect Demko to feature more frequently if they're eliminated from playoff contention.

Demko will face the Blue Jackets on Sunday, Dan Murphy of Sportsnet reports.

The 23-year-old rookie has been strong in his last two outings, stopping 45-of-48 shots while earning one victory. However, Demko has just a .903 save percentage in his five appearances this season. He's not exactly a reliable fantasy option just yet.

Demko stopped 29 of 31 shots to pick up the win in a 3-2 overtime victory over the Blackhawks.

It's the best start of his young career, as Demko stalled a Blackhawks team on a hot run in recent games. Demko improved to 2-2-0 with a 2.96 GAA and a .903 save percentage.

Demko will serve as the road team's starter Monday in Chicago.

Demko has gone winless in three appearances since returning from injury, with his last W coming all the way back on Jan. 18, in his first career NHL start. He'll be in tough Monday, taking on a Blackhawks team that has won five straight games.

Demko allowed only one goal on 17 shots in relief of Jacob Markstrom in Saturday's 6-2 loss to the Golden Knights.

It was the first relief appearance of the 23-year-old's career, and arguably it was the best of his four showings so far this season. Demko's record remains 1-2 with a 3.21 GAA and an .895 save percentage. Head coach Travis Green may turn to the young goalie for Wednesday's meeting with the Rangers given his strong work compared to Markstrom's struggles.

Demko set aside 31 of 34 shots in Thursday's 3-2 loss to Edmonton.

Demko gave up three goals in the first 21:02 of game action, then shut the door from there to give his team a chance. Unfortunately for the 23-year-old netminder, Vancouver's comeback bid came up a goal short. Demko is the Canucks' goalie of the future, but his present-day value is limited as he's just dipping his toe in the water at the NHL level.

Demko will start Thursday in Edmonton.

Demko gave up five goals on 24 shots in his last start, a 5-2 loss to the Coyotes back on Feb. 28. He'll be looking for his first win since Jan. 18 and second win overall, facing an Oilers team that comes in having won three straight games, scoring four goals in each victory.

Demko was shelled for five goals on 24 shots in a 5-2 loss to the Coyotes on Thursday.

Demko was hung out to dry for most of Thursday's game and now owns a 1-1-0 record on the season, to go along with a 4.01 GAA and .873 save percentage. The loss was Demko's first action since Jan. 18.

Demko will start on the road Thursday versus the Coyotes, Dan Murphy of Sportsnet reports. It will be Demko's first start since Jan. 18.

Demko gets the nod for Vancouver on the second half of a back-to-back. Before getting injured, the 23-year-old picked up a win in his only start, allowing three goals on 39 shots versus the Sabres. While the Coyotes have struggled most of the season, they enter Thursday night's contest having won four straight.

Demko (knee) will dress and serve as backup goalie Monday against the Ducks.

The Canucks called their goalie prospect up earlier this year to be Jacob Markstrom's new backup, only to see him get injured after one appearance. With Markstrom around, Demko likely won't be called upon too much, but he should be ready to serve as the primary backup in Vancouver now.

Demko (knee) might be nearing a return to practice, Irfaan Gaffar of Sportsnet reports.

Gaffar suspects Demko will be back at practice "in a couple of days," though it's worth noting that his string of absences have gone far beyond the initial 10-day estimate. Until the goalie prospect can get back on his feet, look for the Canucks to continue relying on Jacob Markstrom, with Marek Mazanec also an option to start now that he's settled his visa issues following a trade with the Rangers.

Demko (knee) is slated to miss around 10 days due to what's been deemed a "slight sprain."

Demko has already been placed on injured reserve, though he's eligible to return whenever healthy. If the 10-day timetable holds true, the netminder would be sidelined until at least Feb. 16 versus the Sharks. He could also be held out through then, which would give him another four days to rest before Feb. 21 against the Coyotes.