According to the team’s play-by-play radio commentator Brendan Batchelor, the Vancouver Canucks have recalled defenseman Victor Mancini from their AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks.
Vancouver will open up a spot on the lively roster for Mancini by putting netminder Thatcher Demko on the injured reserve.
Demko’s placement on the IR will probably be made retroactive to Feb. 8. He left the Canucks’ recreation in opposition to the Toronto Maple Leafs after solely 10 minutes as a result of a lower-body harm. Throughout the 4 Nations Face-Off break it was announced that Demko wouldn’t be a part of the crew on their present five-game highway journey and his restoration timeline is taken into account week-to-week.
It’s changing into considerably of a misplaced season for the eight-year netminder. As a consequence of lingering harm points from the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Demko’s 2024-25 debut was delayed till Dec. 10. He hasn’t been inspiring when wholesome both managing a 6-6-3 file in 17 begins with a .891 save share and a couple of.87 goals-against common.
The newfound harm issues are particularly unlucky when contemplating Demko’s season final yr. The San Diego native was instrumental in Vancouver’s return to the postseason posting a 35-14-2 file in 51 begins with a .918 SV% and a couple of.45 GAA. His 21.2 Objectives Saved Above Common based on Hockey Reference accounts for 82.8% of his whole GSAA all through his profession.
Demko’s future in British Columbia turned even cloudier Saturday when the Canucks signed fellow netminder Kevin Lankinen to a five-year extension. Lankinen has been objectively higher for Vancouver this season and his new contract will run 4 years longer than Demko’s present take care of the crew.
In the meantime, the freshly acquired Mancini might debut with the Canucks this night. He’s tallied one help in 5 video games in AHL Abbotsford since being acquired from the New York Rangers as part of the bundle for J.T. Miller.
Vancouver should still want an harm alternative for Quinn Hughes throughout Sunday’s contest and Mancini must battle defenseman Elias Pettersson for that position. Pettersson has confirmed higher defensively in restricted motion however Mancini has outscored him with one objective and 4 assists all through 15 video games with the Rangers.
