Although Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko became eligible to come off the long-term injured reserve on Saturday, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports that the team will not be rushing him back.
"Demko can come off the LTIR as of now, he was eligible today," said Friedman during the Saturday Headlines segment on Hockey Night in Canada.
"But the Canucks know, as (New York Islanders general manager) Lou Lamoriello says, 'When you have time, you use it.' They have time, they will use it."
The Canucks' starting goaltender has not played a game since suffering a lower-body injury on March 9 against the Winnipeg Jets.
Demko, 28, had played 49 games this season prior to getting injured, posting a 34-13-2 record, 2.47 goals-against average and 9.17 save percentage.
The Canucks finish up a three-game road trip Saturday with a matchup against the Los Angeles Kings, however, Friedman expects the Canucks to wait a little longer to get Demko back in action.
"(I) wouldn't be surprised if we don't see him in a game for around at least another week," Friedman said.
During Demko's absence, Casey DeSmith has taken over, starting eight of the 10 games his partner has missed so far, while Arturs Silovs has started the other two.
Catch the Canucks and Kings facing off on Hockey Night in Canada on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ starting at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET.
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