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

Thatcher Demko had a brief start against the Winnipeg Jets before he left the ice. The Vancouver Canucks goalie was replaced by Kevin Lankinen in the first period after conceding three goals in eight shots.

Demko was seen stretching during a commercial break. He also looked uneasy during the 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 spell of absence was a way to maintain his workload before a long stretch of games. Kevin Lankinen had started the two games over the weekend with Jiri Patera as their backup goalie.

Fans on social media seemed to have lost their patience with Demko. They took to X to voice their anger after the latest setback.

Here are a few reactions:

"Buyout Demko. His career is done," a fan wrote. "So maintenance was a blatant lie," a fan pointed. "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. "Poor Demko. Guy is elite when he's healthy, but he's never healthy," a fan sympathised. "LTIR this fool, for his career, gives us cap relief. Can never be relied upon seems like," a fan added.

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

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Edited by R. Nikhil Parshy