"Buyout Thatcher Demko. His career is done": VAN fans enraged as Canucks goalie exits game vs. Jets

The Vancouver Canucks started Thatcher Demko for a brief period against the Winnipeg Jets before taking him off the ice. Demko was replaced by Kevin Lankinen in the first period after conceding three goals on eight shots.

Demko looked uneasy during pre-game warmups. He took the ice after nine days of rest, having last played in a 5-4 overtime win against the Nashville Predators.

The club had stated that, due to his previous injury history, his absence was a way to maintain his workload before a long stretch of games. Lankinen had started the two games over the weekend with Jiri Patera as the backup.

Fans on social media were upset with Demko's performance against Winnipeg and voiced their anger.

"Buyout Demko. His career is done," a fan wrote.

Adam Rutkowski

@AdamRutkowski90

@Canucks Buyout Demko. His career is done.

"So maintenance was a blatant lie," a fan said.

Michael Beck

@MichaelBeck56

@Canucks So maintenance was a blatant lie

"At least you signed him to a 3 year extension before the season even started. No need to see how he fared throughout his first season back after multiple years of injuries," a fan said sarcastically.

Jess

@hotoscari

@Canucks At least you signed him to a 3 year extension before the season even started. No need to see how he fared throughout his first season back after multiple years of injuries.

"Poor Demko. Guy is elite when he's healthy, but he's never healthy," a fan sympathised.

Seth Eslinger

@S_Eslinger

@Canucks Poor Demko. Guy is elite when he's healthy, but he's never healthy

"LTIR this fool, for his career, gives us cap relief. Can never be relied upon seems like," a fan added.

xJamberx

@JamberxX

@Canucks LTIR this fool, for his career, gives us cap relief can never be relied upon seems like

Demko was signed to a three-year, $25.5 million contract extension by the Canucks, set to take effect next season. He has a 5-4-0 record this season, with a 2.57 goals against average and a .912 save percentage.

Kevin Lankinen reflects upon Thatcher Demko's injury

Thatcher Demko was replaced by Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen late in the first period of the game. In 36:44 playing time, Lankinen earned 1 goal on 21 shots. After the game, during his presser, he empathized with his fellow goaltender who went down.

"Yeah, we're all human beings, and I don't think anybody understands a goalie as well as another goalie," Lankinen said. (2:20) "So, like I said, I haven't had a chance to talk to him, so I don't know. I'm not quite sure what's going on, but I hope for the best."

The Canucks put plenty of faith in the goaltender tandem, signing both to an extension this calendar year. Before Demko was extended, Vancouver offered Lankinen a five-year, $22.5 million contract in February. He's had a shaky 3-5-0 start to the season with 3.57 Goals Against Average and .885 save percentage.