Vancouver Canucks News

Demko led the Canucks onto the ice for warmups.

Demko allowed three goals on 37 shots in the Canucks win in St. Louis on Thursday. With Jacob Markstrom away for personal reasons, Demko started the last two games and went 2-0-0 while allowing just four goals on 64 shots (.938 SV%). Markstrom returned to practice on Friday but the Canucks will stick with Demko this afternoon before turning to Markstrom on Sunday.

Thatcher Demko
Demko will start Thursday in St. Louis.

Demko allowed one goal on 27 shots in the Canucks 5-1 win over the Red Wings on Tuesday. Demko gave up a goal to Dylan Larkin in the first 30 seconds but settled in and didn’t allow another goal after that. It was an outstanding season debut for the young netminder, who will start again tonight with Jacob Markstrom (personal) still away from the team. Demko was 1-2-1 with a 2.95 GAA and .904 SV% in four road starts last year

Thatcher Demko
Demko is in the starter's crease at the Canucks morning skate.

Demko allowed one goal on 27 shots in the Canucks 5-1 win over the Red Wings on Tuesday. Demko gave up a goal to Dylan Larkin in the first 30 seconds but settled in and didn’t allow another goal after that. It was an outstanding season debut for the young netminder, who will start again tonight with Jacob Markstrom (personal) still away from the team. Demko was 1-2-1 with a 2.95 GAA and .904 SV% in four road starts last year.

Thatcher Demko
Demko starts Tuesday vs. the Red WIngs.

With Jacob Markstrom away from the team to attend a personal matter, Demko will make his season debut against Detroit. Demko split his 2018-19 season between the AHL and NHL. He was 8-6-0 with a .911 SV% with Utica (AHL) and was 4-3-1 with a 2.81 GAA and .913 SV% in the NHL. He could see two or three starts this week, making him a great pickup.

Thatcher Demko
Boeser is in concussion protocol following Monday’s preseason game.

Boeser took an ugly hit from behind from Senators centre Chris Tierney and Canucks head coach Travis Green announced that Boeser is in concussion protocol. With the regular season just over one week away, Boeser’s status for the season opener is suddenly in question.

Brock Boeser
Juulsen consulting with a specialist for headaches.

The Canadiens announced that Juulsen is not dealing with a concussion, but did have a facial fracture after being hit in the face by the puck last November. Juulsen’s status for the start of the regular season is unclear, but these headaches could open up a spot for Cale Fleury to start the year with Montreal.

Noah Juulsen
Forbort (back) is “struggling to get healthy” and the Kings don’t have a timetable for his return.

Forbort, who plays a key role next to Drew Doughty for the Kings, is still not in training camp and head coach Todd McLellan isn’t sure when he’ll get the 27-year-old defneseman back. The Kings went out and signed Benn Hutton to a one-year deal on Tuesday to add a little more depth while Forbort heals up.

Derek Forbort
The Canucks have re-signed Brock Boeser to a three-year contract worth $17.625M ($5.875M AAV).

Boeser had 26 goals and 30 assists (56 points) in 69 games in 2019. Through two NHL seasons, Boeser has averaged 34 goals and 35 assists (69 points) per 82-games but has missed 20.1 percent of the games. If Boeser can stay healthy, he has legit 40-goal, 40-assist upside next to Elias Pettersson.

Brock Boeser
The Penguins have re-signed Marcus Pettersson to a one-year contract worth $874,125.

Pettersson was traded to the Penguins early in 2019 and he finished with 19 points (2G / 17A) in 57 games with his new team. He won’t play enough meaningful minutes to be fantasy relevant in 2020. However, Kris Letang and Justin Schultz both have durability concerns, so there is a scenario where Pettersson sees PP1 time, it just wouldn’t be a great scenario for the Penguins.

Marcus Pettersson
The Rangers have signed Phil Di Giuseppe to a one-year contract.

Di Giuseppe was originally picked in the second-round by the Hurricanes back in 2012 but was waived last season and had a brief stint with the Nashville Predators. He has posted decent numbers at lower-levels but has just 41 points (14G / 27A) in 150 career NHL games. The 25-year-old will either start the season in the AHL or as a fourth-liner.

Phil Di Giuseppe
The Penguins signed Teddy Blueger to a two-year extension worth $1.5M ($750K AAV).

Blueger was a second-round pick (No. 52 overall) in 2012 and had a great start in the AHL last year. The 24-year-old opened the season with 39 points (21G / 18A) in 45 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton before being promoted to Pittsburgh. Blueger had 10 points (6G / 4A) in 28 NHL games and is a lock for the Penguins bottom-6 to start 2020.

Teddy Blueger
Ferland (upper-body) is expected to play in Game 1 vs. the Bruins.

Ferland has been sidelined by an upper-body injury since Game 3 of round one vs. the Capitals but is expected to play in Boston on Thursday. Ferland told reporters he is feeling fine physically after Monday’s practice and will likely be eased back into playoff action on the fourth line with Greg McKegg and Jordan Martinook.

Micheal Ferland
Ferland (upper-body) will not play in Game 3 but could return for Game 4.

The Hurricanes could get Andrei Svechnikov and Jordan Martinook back in Game 3 but they will have to wait at least one more game for Ferland. The 27-year-old has been out since Game 3 of the first round but was on the ice again on Wednesday and is targeting a Game 4 return. The Hurricanes have moved out to a 2-0 series lead and will be even more dangerous when all three forwards are healthy and back in the lineup.

Micheal Ferland