Demko and Canucks expected to discuss contract extension soon
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What does Thatcher Demko’s future look like?
It’s a fascinating question, because there are a ton of question marks with the Vancouver Canucks’ starting goalie.
A Vezina Trophy finalist in 2023-24, Demko battled injuries from start to finish last season. And given he’ll turn 30 years old later this year, it’s unclear how gracefully he’ll age.
It seems to have all the makings of a contentious contract negotiation, which can officially begin with the Canucks on July 1. Demko is entering the final year of his contract, and nobody is sure what a new one will look like.
“I would fully expect the Canucks and Demko’s camp to make contact soon to discuss what a new deal would look like,” CHEK’s Rick Dhaliwal said on Sportsnet 650 Friday morning. “Most think the Canucks want a three-year deal with Demko. That most likely won’t fly with the other side.”
🗣️"Most think the Canucks would like a three-year deal with Demko, and that most likely won't fly. I'm hearing he has no health issues, no setbacks. He should have a normal summer of training."
▶️ Mike & Jason get a #Canucks update from @DhaliwalSports regarding Thatcher Demko.
— Sportsnet 650 (@Sportsnet650) May 30, 2025
Demko will surely be looking for a raise on his current $5-million salary. Eight active goalies will earn more than $8 million next season. How high will the Canucks be willing to go given that they’re already paying Kevin Lankinen $4.5 million?
The bigger issue will be term, given Demko’s injury history.
“It’s a tricky one and there’s risk to it,” Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford admitted after last season. “There will be risk on both sides… he’s 100 per cent healthy now, he’s in a great frame of mind and we would like to extend him… it’s going to be a matter of how much risk the team is going to take and how much risk is he willing to take as to the term of that contract.”
Demko, for his part, has said he’s happy in Vancouver.
“I’ve always wanted to be a Canuck since day one. I want to be here,” said Demko at the Canucks year-end media availability. “I’d like to get an extension done [and] stay here.”
Highest-paid NHL goalies (2025-26 season)
- Igor Shesterkin (New York Rangers): $ 11.5 million
- Sergei Bobrovsky (Florida Panthers): $ 10 million
- Andrei Vasilevskiy (Tampa Bay Lightning): $ 9.5 million
- Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets): $ 8.5 million
- Jake Oettinger (Dallas Stars): $ 8.25 million
- Ilya Sorokin (New York Islanders): $ 8.25 million
- Jeremy Swayman (Boston Bruins): $ 8.25 million
- Linus Ullmark (Ottawa Senators): $ 8.25 million
- Juuse Saros (Nashville Predators): $ 7.74 million
- John Gibson (Anaheim Ducks): $ 6.4 million