Demko forced to address trade rumors

Earlier this week the Vancouver Canucks and New York Islanders blew the barn doors off the NHL's trade market with a blockbuster deal involving forward Bo Horvat.

It's was blockbuster deal that fans and analysts have been predicting from the Canucks all season long and it's the first real prominent trade that the team has made under new GM Patrik Allvin and President Jim Rutherford. But, with reports that a full scale fire-sale rebuild is coming in Vancouver it leaves us wondering... what's next?

There have been reports that the Canucks are looking to move veteran defensemen Tyler Myers and Luke Schenn, as well as sniper Brock Boeser, but earlier this week Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman suggested that the Canucks could be looking to trade goaltender Thatcher Demko. Canucks insider Farhan Lalji echoed Friedman's report saying himself that he has heard rumors that Demko doesn't want to stay in Vancouver.

From Lalji on the most recent episode of The Vancast:

Does Demko want to be here? I've heard from people around that are close to it that Demko doesn't want be here. There's conversation in the background that Demko isn't enamored with the market, the scrutiny, the organization. Pick it, it's all of it.

- Farhan Lalji

Lalji doubled down on his reporting today when he was on the Donnie & Dhali: The Team.

Check it out:

"Maybe a change wouldn't be a bad thing. It's the only thing that makes sense to me... that there's a level of angst between the player and this market. If the organization's goals are what they have stated, it makes no sense to be shopping Thatcher Demko, unless maybe he doesn't mind being shopped. I've heard that he hasn't been happy. 

- Farhan Laljji

Frankly, I think the Canucks would have to be CRAZY to trade Demko... especially right now. He's a tremendous goalie on a tremendous deal and with the way that this season has gone for both him and the Canucks jointly, his trade value is at an all-time low. I'd have to really get an offer that knocked my socks off to trade a goalie like Demko, especially given how much this team relies on him.

Thankfully, Canucks insider and goalie guru Kevin Woodley reports that the Canucks have not been shopping Demko on the trade market and that there "certainly hasn't been any 'I want out of here' trade request."

If I'm a Canucks fan, that's encouraging. Not because I don't think this team still needs a roster overhaul, but because I think Demko's value is at an all time low and that solid goaltending on a good contract is such a crucial element in today's NHL.