Here’s the problem I see with all of the recent hourly Thatcher-Demko-to-Los-Angeles trade ideas:

Demko was horrible this year, almost undoubtedly due to his hip injury. So no prudent GM in the NHL would make a decision on whether Thatcher Demko had made a full recovery from his injury and surgery, and therefore whether his team should trade for him or what, on the small sample of 12 games the Canucks play before the trade deadline. When he returns from rehabbing that injury, and plays the last third of the season, one of two things will happen:

1. Either he will display his earlier form, in which case why would Vancouver trade him; or
2. He will not show any improvement, in which case why would Los Angeles want him?

Anyone who believes that a competent GM would take the risk of investing significant assets in Thatcher Demko should research the history of why Jake Oettinger is tending goal for the Dallas Stars. And Vancouver fans will recall what caused the premature end of Ryan Kesler’s career.

People need to stop dreaming that the Kings will trade Cal Petersen with substantial assets for Thatcher Demko anytime soon. We will all have to wait until draft day to see what the respective values of the two goalies are. And one asset you WON’T be getting is our 2023 first-round draft pick.

I agree any Demko trade is much more likely in the off-season

I agree with the above posters.