The Vancouver Canucks will likely need to conduct a bit of an experiment in 2026-27. The uncertainty surrounding Thatcher Demko’s health could very well prompt the organization to carry three goalies.
Yes, the Canucks are rebuilding. But just because they’re rebuilding it doesn’t mean the team should throw a Zamboni driver out there if and when Demko goes down.
And that’s the thing. There’s no real telling when Demko could go down. The numbers have shown that Demko typically goes down after seven starts or so. Even if Demko remained fully healthy this season, the Canucks will have to be very careful with his workload.
That’s why the Canucks will need a third goalie. The easiest and most cost-effective option is to call someone up from Abbotsford. That could mean Nikita Tolopilo getting a fair number of starts.
But would the organization be better off keeping Tolopilo in the press box when Demko plays? Or would the team be better served by Tolopilo getting regular reps in Abbotsford?
That’s where a veteran goalie like Ingram comes into the mix. Ingram can hang around as the backup to Kevin Lankinen on the nights Demko doesn’t even dress.
That’s another thing. The Canucks, in order to manage Demko’s workload, shouldn’t even dress him on nights he doesn’t play. That’s why a tandem like Lankinen and Ingram on Demko’s nights off would give the team a better chance to win and keep Demko healthy.
Lankinen-Ingram Tandem Would Be Best Bet in Back-to-Back Sets
The most complex situation for the Canucks will be handling back-to-back sets this upcoming season. Since starting Demko in one leg and then having him back up the next night might be a bit much, Manny Malhotra can let Demko rest on consecutive nights, especially on the road.
Back-to-back sets away from Vancouver could prove especially challenging for Demko. So, rolling with Lankinen and Ingram on the road would help Demko avoid injury as much as possible.
At home, Demko could get one leg, with either Lankinen or Ingram starting the other. If such a rotation sounds weird, it looks to be the next big trend in the NHL, particularly with the season now moving to 84 games.
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Canucks Can’t Afford to Be Cheap with Goaltending This Season
The Canucks already made a risky bet in signing Demko to the extension they did. Since no one will be taking the contract off their hands, the best thing the organization can do is just give Demko the best possible shot at succeeding.
That’s why the Canucks can’t suddenly get cheap with goaltending. The team will need to have stability in the crease, especially with a younger defense emerging around them. The last thing Vancouver should be looking at is something like an inexperienced goalie giving up three goals on five shots in the first period.
Having a solid netminder behind the likes of Zeev Buium and Tom Willander will be crucial in building their confidence as they grow into bona fide NHL defensemen. So, even if Ingram costs something like $3 million on a one-year deal, it’s an investment the team must make in helping its young D core develop.
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