In a surprising turn of events, Vancouver Canucks GM Patrik Allvin dropped a bombshell on Monday, revealing that both forward Dakota Joshua and star goaltender Thatcher Demko will be starting the season on the injured non-roster list. The news comes as a significant blow to the Canucks, who were hoping to have their full lineup ready for the start of the season.
Demko, the 28-year-old netminder, has been battling a rare muscle injury in his knee, which has kept him off the ice during training camp. While Demko has been seen skating, the team remains uncertain about when he will be able to make his long-awaited return to action. This setback is a tough pill to swallow for the Canucks, as Demko was a Vezina Award finalist last season after appearing in 51 games and boasting a stellar 0.918 save percentage and a 2.45 goals against average.
On the other hand, Joshua, also 28, has been dealing with his own health issues, as he missed training camp due to surgery for testicular cancer. The gritty forward from Dearborn, Mich. had a breakout season last year, tallying a career-high 18 goals and 32 points in 63 games for Vancouver. His absence will undoubtedly be felt by the Canucks, who were counting on his scoring touch to help boost the team’s offense.
In a further roster shakeup, Allvin announced that forward Arshdeep Bains, defenseman Erik Brannstrom, and goalie Jiri Patera – claimed off waivers earlier in the day – will all be assigned to the Abbotsford Canucks of the AHL. This move signals a changing of the guard for the Canucks, who are looking to build organizational depth and give their prospects valuable playing time in the minors.
With the season opener against the Calgary Flames looming large on Wednesday, the Canucks find themselves facing an uphill battle right out of the gate. All eyes will be on the team as they look to overcome these early obstacles and rally together in pursuit of a successful campaign. The road ahead may be rocky, but with determination and perseverance, the Canucks are poised to weather the storm and emerge stronger on the other side.
