Elliotte Friedman’s “32 Thoughts” articles have been scarce this summer. Only two editions have been released, along with one in podcast form.
These pieces offer insights into what Friedman is hearing from all 32 NHL teams. In his latest update, Friedman shared his experiences at the NHL/NHLPA European Media Tour, featuring quotes from NHL stars like Sebastian Aho, Juuse Saros, Martin Necas, and David Pastrnak.
In thought 25 of his recent article, Friedman touched on the Vancouver Canucks, particularly the shift in Ian Clark’s role and concerns about Thatcher Demko’s health. Friedman noted the unexpected timing of Clark stepping back from his duties and questioned how this change might impact Demko’s workload. He also speculated whether Demko might have pushed himself too hard last season to meet the team’s expectations, which led to further health concerns.
”What to watch for will be how (or if) Thatcher Demko’s workload, both on and off the ice, changes under new supervision. No one is really sure about his timeline. The Canucks wanted Demko – who was recovering from injury – to play (preferably twice) before last year’s playoffs, so they knew if they could count on him. He made those two appearances and won Game 1 versus Nashville, then broke down and did not return in the playoffs. It wasn’t an unreasonable request, but did Demko, like any athlete would, push himself too hard to hit that target? And what does that mean for the future?”
Adding to this, a recent article by Thomas Drance and Rick Dhaliwal in The Athletic reported that multiple sources within the league have indicated that Demko may not be ready for the start of training camp or preseason games. This development has raised concerns among Canucks fans about Demko’s readiness for the 2024-2025 season and his long-term health.
With 25 days until training camp, 30 days until the first preseason game, and 45 days until the regular season opener against the Calgary Flames, the Canucks and their fans are anxiously awaiting updates on Demko’s condition.
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