Goaltender Arturs Silovs is no longer with the Vancouver Canucks organization.
On Sunday, Vancouver completed a trade sending the netminder to the Pittsburgh Penguins. In exchange, the Canucks acquired forward Chase Stillman and a fourth-round selection in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft.
During the recent regular season, Silovs played 21 games for the AHL`s Abbotsford Canucks, posting a 14-5-1 record with a .908 save percentage and a career-best 2.41 goals-against average. He also appeared in 10 NHL contests for Vancouver, finishing with a 2-6-1 record, a 3.65 goals-against average, and an .861 save percentage.
The 24-year-old was a pivotal figure in Abbotsford`s successful run to the Calder Cup championship. In the AHL playoffs, he compiled a 16-7 record with a 2.01 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage, including five shutouts. His outstanding playoff performance earned him MVP honors, making him only the fourth goaltender in AHL history to receive this award.
However, with Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen secured with long-term contracts in Vancouver, Silovs` opportunity to establish himself as a regular NHL player for the Canucks was uncertain.
Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin issued a statement regarding the trade: “We would like to thank Arturs for everything he has done for the hockey club, including helping Abbotsford win the Calder Cup,” Allvin said. “We wanted to give him an opportunity elsewhere as we feel we are very well positioned in goal at the NHL, AHL and developmental level. Acquiring a future pick and depth forward will add to our organizational depth.”
Stillman, the player acquired by Vancouver, split the past season between the AHL`s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the Utica Comets, tallying 12 points (stats not specified, but usually goals/assists) over 65 games. He was originally a first-round selection, 29th overall, by the New Jersey Devils in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
