The Vancouver Canucks have signed veteran goaltender Chris Driedger to a professional tryout agreement. This move provides depth while franchise starter Thatcher Demko rehabilitates from hip surgery.
The shadow of Thatcher Demko's hip surgery
The Vancouver Canucks are navigating a delicate recovery period for their franchise goaltender, Thatcher Demko. After undergoing hip surgery in January, the 30-year-old has been working through rehabilitation in Vancouver since he began skating in late June, according to the Vancouver Province.
Demko's recent history is defined by availability issues, having played only 20 games last season and 23 games during the 2024-25 campaign. While General Manager Ryan Johnson has described Demko's physical and mental progress as encoouraging, the organization is prioritizing a durable return over meeting an arbitrary deadline. The stakes are high for Vancouver; in his last uninterrupted season in 2023-24 , Demko was an All-Star who finished second in Vezina Trophy voting after producing a .918 save percentage.
Chris Driedger's transition from Traktor Chelyabinsk
Veteran goaltender Chris Driedger enters the Canucks' training camp following a season spent in the Kontinental Hockey League with Traktor Chelyabinsk.. The 32-year-old Winnipeg native recorded an 8-9-2 record during his 19 appearances in Russia, posting a .897 save percentage and a 3.05 goals-against average.
Driedger brings previous NHL experience from stints with the Seattle Kraken, Ottawa Senators, and Florida Panthers. His recent North American experience also includes time in the American Hockey League with the Charlotte Checkers and Manitoba Moose during the 2024-25 season. As reported by the source, his professional tryout agreement offers Vancouver an opportunity to evaluate his readiness for North American competition after his time abroad. Across 67 career NHL games, Driedger has maintained a .917 save percentage, suggesting he remains a viable depth option.
Managing an $8.5 million salary-cap commitment
The Canucks' goaltending strategy is heavily influenced by Thatcher Demko's long-term contract, which runs through the 2028-29 season. With an annual salary-cap charge of $8.5 million, the team must ensure Demko can withstand the rigors of a full NHL schedule to justify the massive investment.
The team's recent hiring of amateur scout Sean Finn, who brings seven years of KHL experience, suggests a broader effort to bolster the organization's depth and international scouting reach.. This move complements the immediate need for reliable goaltending depth during the preseason as the team prepares for multiple possible timelines rather than assuming Demko will be ready for opening night.
The question of a three-goalie roster
Vancouver is currently weighing the possibility of carrying three goaltenders to mitigate the risk of further injury interruptions. This contingency plan would provide stability if Demko's rehabilitation takes longer than anticipated or if his durability remains a concern.
However, several variables remain unverified by the Canucks' front office.. It is currently unclear how many games Driedger will receive during the tryout period, whether the team will ultimately sign him to a standard player contract, or how the coaching staff will balance the workload if a three-man rotation is implemented. Furthermore, the source does not specify if the team has identified a clear second-string option behind Demko should the tryout fail to result in a contract.
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