There are a couple of interesting things happening around the Vancouver Canucks that don’t necessarily involve the big names. That’s just one of the things that makes this stage of the rebuild interesting. The Canucks need to figure out which young players could become useful NHL pieces, while also ensuring the players they already have under contract are healthy enough to be part of the next good Vancouver team.
Two names worth watching are Aiden Celebrini and Thatcher Demko. Canucks fans know his younger brother Macklin, whose 1-of-1 Gold Starburst hockey card sold on the weekend for $1.28 million. Aiden is a long shot who could eventually become a useful depth defenceman, while Demko is a much bigger piece of the puzzle. One is trying to earn his first professional opportunity. The other is trying to get healthy enough to resume his role as Vancouver’s No. 1 goaltender.
Aiden Celebrini Could Be a Canucks Signing to Watch
Aiden Celebrini doesn’t get the attention Macklin does, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a player worth watching. The Vancouver native is heading into his fourth season at Boston University, and this is an important year for him. Vancouver selected Celebrini in the sixth round, 171st overall, in the 2023 NHL Draft from the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL).
The thing to remember about Celebrini is that he was never drafted to be an offensive defenceman. His game has always been about defending, competing and making life difficult for opposing forwards. He has spent most of his college career playing on the third pairing, with some time higher in the lineup, so the lack of offensive numbers isn’t necessarily a red flag. Sometimes a defenceman can make a living without putting up much on the scoresheet.
What makes this season particularly interesting is what happens when it is over. Celebrini has a connection with new Abbotsford Canucks head coach Ryan Papaioannou, who coached him in Brooks. That could make Abbotsford a natural landing spot if Vancouver decides to sign him. A strong senior season could lead to an opportunity in the American Hockey League (AHL), and that’s probably the next step that matters. A sixth-round pick doesn’t have to become a star to be a good pick. If Celebrini turns into a dependable shutdown defenceman, the Canucks will have found something useful rather late in the draft.
Thatcher Demko’s Training Camp Status Is Becoming a Concern
The bigger issue around the Canucks right now is Demko. Vancouver was hoping he would be ready for training camp after undergoing hip surgery last winter, but that now appears to be anything but certain. Demko has played just 43 games over the past two seasons, and although he is working out and doing some on-ice work, there is still no firm timeline for his return. Elliotte Friedman has reported that there is no clear timetable, while Rick Dhaliwal has also suggested that Demko’s availability for the start of camp remains uncertain.
The good news is that the Canucks don’t need to rush him. This isn’t a team that should treat September as a do-or-die moment. Vancouver is rebuilding, and if Demko needs another few weeks, or even longer, the smart move is to let him take them. Kevin Lankinen has enough NHL experience to handle a bigger workload, and Nikita Tolopilo can provide some support behind him. Neither goalie will replace a healthy Demko, but that’s not the point. They need to keep things moving until Demko is ready.
That’s especially important because Demko is beginning a three-year, $25.5-million contract. Vancouver has made a significant commitment to him, and the best way to protect that investment is to be patient now. It would be nice to see him on the ice when camp opens, but it really doesn’t matter all that much. What matters is having a healthy starter when the rebuild turns into something bigger.
And maybe that’s the bigger lesson for the Canucks. They don’t need to win the first week of the season. They need to make good decisions that help them win a few years from now.
What’s Next for the Canucks?
Celebrini is one of those players who could quietly become part of that future. Nobody should expect him to walk into Abbotsford and suddenly become an NHL regular. But Vancouver needs players like him. A few late-round picks who develop into useful depth players can make a big difference when a team eventually has to fill out an NHL roster.
Demko is a different story altogether. His health could have a much bigger impact on the organization, but that doesn’t mean the Canucks should take any chances. If he isn’t ready for camp, let him wait. Lankinen and Tolopilo can handle the work for now. The Canucks’ rebuild should be about patience. If that means giving a sixth-round defenceman another year to develop and giving a No. 1 goalie another month to heal, that’s probably time well spent.
Free Newsletter
Get Vancouver Canucks coverage delivered to your inbox
In-depth analysis, breaking news, and insider takes – free.
Subscribe Free →
