Thatcher Demko finally speaks out about wanting out of Vancouver

These are frustrating times in Vancouver, especially for Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko. When he addressed the media on Tuesday, the goalie was frustrated about trade rumors that have been swirling over the past two weeks. He adamantly denies them.

“It was frustrating to hear reports that he wanted out of Vancouver. Saying it’s not true & that he has never said that.”

“I’m not even here to defend myself. I’m on the sidelines and I see that stuff popping up, but it’s not true. I’ll say that point blank,” Demko added. “I’ve seen a few things floating around but I’ve never said that. Not even to my wife or anyone close to my circle. I have no idea where that started.”

It all heated up when it was hinted that Demko might want out of Vancouver during this unstable season. The goalie has struggled this year, putting up a 3-10-2 record. It’s an obvious downgrade from last season in which he was one of the best goaltenders in the NHL with a 33-22-7 record.

Demko is playing the second year of a five-year deal worth $5 million per season, but has been out of action since Dec. 1 with a lower-body injury. Though he’s traveled with the team lately, he has yet to return in between the pipes, but he is likely to backup against the Philadelphia Flyers later this week. He will get to play under Rick Tocchet as Demko was still under Bruce Boudreau when he was injured.

“It’s always tough losing a coach, especially when it’s a guy like Bruce (Boudreau),” Demko said. “The last few weeks there, I wasn’t able to help out. At a certain point, you’re playing for someone’s job. So I felt a little guilty, almost, like I wasn’t able to help out. But this is where we are now, and Toch has a plan with his staff.”

And clearly the plan includes Demko, who maintains he never asked out of Vancouver.

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