The Vancouver Canucks have completed a significant transaction, sending goaltender Arturs Silovs to the Pittsburgh Penguins. In return, Vancouver receives forward Chase Stillman and a fourth-round selection in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft. This move alters the goaltending landscape for the Canucks organization and provides a new opportunity for the young Latvian netminder.
Silovs, who is 24 years old, recently distinguished himself with exceptional play in the American Hockey League (AHL). He was a central figure in the Abbotsford Canucks` successful run to a Calder Cup championship, posting a strong 16-7 record with a 2.01 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage during the playoffs, including five shutouts. His AHL regular season numbers were also respectable, recording a 14-5-1 record with a .908 save percentage and a career-best 2.41 goals-against average in 21 games.
Despite this noteworthy AHL success, Silovs` path to becoming a regular fixture in the Vancouver Canucks` NHL net appeared challenging. The team currently has established goaltenders Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen under long-term contracts, creating a clear logjam at the position for Silovs.
Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin addressed the trade, stating the organization wanted to provide Silovs with an opportunity elsewhere given their solid depth in goal at the NHL, AHL, and developmental levels. He also highlighted that acquiring a future pick and a depth forward adds to the overall organizational depth of the club, which was a driving factor in the decision.
Coming to Vancouver in the trade is forward Chase Stillman. Stillman split the recent season playing in the AHL for both the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the Utica Comets. A former first-round draft pick from 2021 (originally selected by the New Jersey Devils), Stillman registered 12 points in 65 games across his AHL assignments. While a high draft pedigree suggests potential, his professional offensive output has been relatively modest to this point.
From Vancouver`s perspective, this trade is a strategic decision to capitalize on a position of surplus while adding future assets and a different type of prospect to the system. It`s a pragmatic move acknowledging the organizational reality in goal. For Pittsburgh, they acquire a goaltender with a proven track record of recent high-pressure success in the AHL playoffs, potentially seeing him as a valuable depth piece or future contributor. For Arturs Silovs, this transaction clears the path and offers a fresh start where his impressive AHL performance might finally open the door to a more consistent NHL opportunity.
