The Vancouver Canucks are facing multiple challenges early in the 2025-26 NHL season, with captain Quinn Hughes showing visible frustration and starting goaltender Thatcher Demko sidelined with yet another injury.
Captain's Uncharacteristic Post-Game Behavior
Following Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets at Rogers Arena, Quinn Hughes displayed uncharacteristic curtness during his post-game media availability. The Canucks captain offered brief, snappy answers to reporters, with the team's social media team making minimal promotion of the session compared to usual standards.
This behavior appears part of a growing pattern for Hughes, who has increasingly arrived before cameras without the typical storytelling approach expected from team leadership. The emotional display comes amid what observers describe as a challenging season already shaping up to be difficult for the team.
Hughes has now played under four different coaches in his five NHL seasons, with Adam Foote being the latest to take the helm. The constant changes in leadership and direction have undoubtedly taken a toll on the young captain, who carried significant responsibility during last season's demanding campaign.
Demko's Concerning Injury History
In more troubling news for the Canucks, starting goaltender Thatcher Demko faces another extended absence from the lineup. The team confirmed he could be out until December with his latest injury, which they insist is unrelated to the "preventive maintenance" time he took over the weekend.
The frequency of Demko's injuries has become alarming for Vancouver. Since March 2024, Demko has suffered five separate injuries in just 37 appearances, creating significant instability in the team's goaltending situation.
His injury timeline includes:
- March 9, 2024: Left game against Jets with knee injury, missed over a month
- April 21, 2024: Popliteus muscle injury in playoffs, missed eight months
- January 2, 2025: Back spasms against Kraken, missed one week
- February 8, 2025: Injury before 4 Nations break, missed six weeks
- November 11, 2025: Latest injury against Jets after maintenance weekend
The pattern raises concerns about Demko's durability as he approaches his 30th birthday in December, especially with a three-year extension carrying an $8.5 million cap hit set to begin next season.
Unexpected Bright Spots and Future Outlook
Despite the challenges, the Canucks have found some unexpected production from forward Kiefer Sherwood. The winger has scored 11 goals in 18 games this season, with nearly every point coming from goals rather than assists.
Sherwood's remarkable shooting percentage of 29.7 percent and current pace of 57 goals has captured attention across the league, though regression to more typical numbers is expected. His performance comes in a contract year before potential unrestricted free agency.
Meanwhile, Hughes remains one of the league's elite defensemen, reflected in his 95 overall rating in the upcoming NHL 26 video game - tied with Colorado's Cale Makar as the highest-rated defenseman in the game.
As the Canucks continue their road trip with practice in Carolina, the team faces significant questions about leadership composure, goaltending stability, and maintaining competitive performance through adversity.
