With one season left on his contract before reaching unrestricted free agency, Vancouver Canucks’ goaltender Thatcher Demko is eligible for an extension beginning July 1st, 2025. Canucks Conversation co-host Harman Dayal asked Demko whether he anticipates if the Canucks and him will discuss an extension.
“I’ve always wanted to be a Canuck. Since day one I’ve wanted to be here. I was drafted here. I’d like to get an extension done and stay here. That’s something that Patrik [Allvin] and my agent will start talking about.”
He won’t take an active role in negotiations, however.
“I’ll let them focus on that. I’m focused on getting myself back to where I know I can be. Everything will play itself out.”
Demko is in the final season of the five-year, $25 million contract he signed in March of 2021, worth an average annual value of $5 million. A stalwart for the Canucks, their recent success has almost entirely depended on his goaltending. Last season’s remarkable turnaround was largely due to Demko’s Vezina-calibre season. Previously, he emerged as a proverbial brick wall in the 2020 playoff bubble. In those four appearances, the goalkeeper posted a .985 save percentage and an otherworldly 0.64 goals against average.
Over the last three seasons, Demko’s health has become a legitimate concern, as he has suffered from numerous ailments that have kept him out of action for extended periods or hindered his performance when available. Even when attending Boston College, the young goalie fought through hip issues. In April 2015, he had hip surgery and was only then able to live pain-free and regain full hip movement. When healthy, he’s one of the best goaltenders on the planet. Unfortunately, he’s earned the label of injury-prone, and that could make extension negotiations tricky.
Girding themselves from the possibility that Demko leaves as a free agent, the Canucks signed journeyman goaltender Kevin Lankinen to a large extension of his own after a very successful first season in Vancouver. Far less accomplished and older than Demko, Lankinen has been durable during his time in the NHL. Beginning on July 1st, 2025, the Finnish goaltender’s five-year, $22.5 million contract locks him into at least a platoon role.
A Demko extension would come with the understanding that they would form a long-term platoon partnership.
“I think [Lankinen] deserved every dollar he got. He had a great season for us this year. He kept us alive through stretches of the season. He’s been a great goalie partner for me and I’ve really enjoyed working with him and having him around. They committed to him and I don’t think that changes how I feel about coming back or being here. I’ve enjoyed working with him and I think that relationship would be really healthy.”
Although the Canucks lined up Lankinen, Demko remains very wide open about wanting to sign an extension and remain with the team that drafted him. It’s a positive development that despite the chaos and malaise that has gripped the organization, that a long time member of the core wants to remain a Vancouver Canuck.
