If Thatcher Demko isn't ready to start the season, can the Canucks fill his spot without resorting to LTIR? It's a complicated situation.
The Canucks had a productive offseason, resolving tough RFA negotiations, trading Ilya Mikheyev, making strategic draft picks, and signing key free agents to bolster their roster. Even the trade of Vasily Podkolzin to Edmonton for a fourth-round pick was seen as a smart move, given his stalled development.
One of the significant off-season wins was managing the salary cap effectively, finally positioning the team to start the season without using LTIR. This cap space flexibility was set to allow the Canucks to accrue space throughout the season, giving them more trade options.
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However, recent reports suggest Demko might not be ready for training camp or the start of the regular season, casting a shadow over these moves since Demko's absence could force the Canucks into a tricky cap situation. If Demko is sidelined, the Canucks would either need to promote one of their less-experienced goaltenders like Nikita Tolopilo or Jiri Patera or sign a veteran like Kevin Lankinen, who is reportedly being targeted by the team.
Fitting Lankinen under the cap without placing Tucker Poolman on LTIR will be challenging. The Canucks might need to make difficult roster decisions, such as waiving multiple players, to free up enough cap space. This could involve starting the season with a minimal 20-man roster, which carries risks.
The situation is still fluid, and much depends on oDemko's recovery timeline and anLankinen's contract demands. While there are ways to navigate the cap, the Canucks will need to carefully weigh their options to avoid jeopardizing their carefully structured cap space.
