Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet offered updates on Tuesday about injuries to two of the team’s key players, with star goalie Thatcher Demko drawing particular attention.
Derek Forbort, who had been on personal leave following the passing of his father, rejoined the team and is expected to return to his third-pairing role soon. Forbort’s return leaves the Canucks managing only two major injuries: those of Demko and Dakota Joshua. Coach Tocchet provided insight into each player’s status.
Encouraging News for Dakota Joshua
Starting with Joshua, the outlook appears positive. As reported by Noah Strang of Daily Hive, Tocchet shared, “It’s getting close. He needs to get some three-on-three stuff down low, pushing and shoving, and he’s been doing that the last couple days.”
Joshua has progressed to full-contact practices after previously wearing a non-contact jersey. Diagnosed with cancer earlier this year after doctors discovered a lump on one of his testicles, he successfully underwent surgery, but the mental and physical toll slowed his recovery. Now, his return to the lineup seems imminent, which will be a significant boost to the team, as Joshua led the Canucks in hits last season and plays a key role in the penalty kill unit.
Uncertain Path for Thatcher Demko
As for Demko, the latest update brings more questions than answers. Tocchet noted, “He’s had, like, four really good days, which is good. He’s stacked some consecutive days together; that’s a really good thing. That’s positive.”
Demko is dealing with a rare popliteus muscle injury behind his knee, an unusual setback for a hockey player that has left his return timeline unclear. The injury’s rarity adds a level of uncertainty, leaving even well-connected insiders like Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman hesitant to speculate on when Demko might return. The team and fans continue to wait, hopeful that the two-time All-Star will be back in action soon.
In the meantime, the Canucks can look forward to Joshua’s upcoming return and hope that Demko’s recovery remains steady, even if his return date remains unknown.
Leave a Reply