The Vancouver Canucks will be leaning on the California kid between the pipes for the next few years.
It’s being reported by multiple hockey insiders, including Elliotte Friedman and Rick Dhaliwal, that the Canucks have inked goaltender Thatcher Demko to a 5-year contract worth $25 million.
The deal will pay Demko $5 million per season, which will make him the 13th highest-paid goalie in the NHL next season.
It’s a well-deserved contract for the 25-year-old, who was considered a top prospect before bursting onto the scene as a backup in 2019.
When Jacob Markstrom was injured during the playoffs last season, Demko stood on his head against the Vegas Golden Knights, allowing the severely-outplayed Canucks to push the series to seven games.
Vancouver lost in game seven, which certainly wasn’t Demko’s fault, but his strong play made the team’s decision to let Markstrom become a free agent a little bit easier.
Demko started the season sharing the Canucks’ goaltending duties with newly-signed Braden Holtby, but took over the starting gig thanks to his consistently great play.
On a team that has had some serious struggles this season, Demko has posted a .917 save percentage and has twice been included in the NHL’s three stars of the week.
There’s also a great chance he’ll be recognized as one of the league’s stars of the month for March in the coming days.
