Vancouver Canucks trade away Artūrs Šilovs after magical Calder Cup run
There will be no more Arty Parties for the Vancouver Canucks.
On Sunday afternoon, the Canucks announced that they’d traded away goaltender Artūrs Šilovs to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Chase Stillman and a fourth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft.
Šilovs had been thrust into a sudden starting role in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs following Thatcher Demko’s injury, while he was the Abbotsford Canucks’ main backstop during their run to the AHL’s Calder Cup this past spring, and captured the playoff MVP in the process.
“We would like thank Artūrs for everything he has done for the hockey club, including helping Abbotsford win the Calder Cup,” said Canucks GM Patrik Allvin in a release. “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.”
A 24-year-old native of Riga, Latvia, Šilovs had spent his entire pro career with the Canucks since being taken in the sixth round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
Why did the Canucks make the trade?
While Šilovs was beloved by Canucks fans after his last two springs, he didn’t appear to be part of their long-term future.
The Canucks committed to Kevin Lankinen back in February, inking the 30-year-old Finn to a five-year contract worth US $4.5 million per season that includes a full no-movement clause in the first two years (and a modified no-move clause in the final three years).
Last week, Thatcher Demko landed a three-year, $25.5 million deal. The contract will see Demko carry a cap hit of US$8.5 million beginning in the 2026-27 season.
Stillman is now on his third NHL team, as he was originally taken New Jersey Devils in the first round, 29th overall, in the 2021 Entry Draft. He hasn’t quite produced at a top level as a pro yet, putting up just 12 points in 65 AHL games split between Utica and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last year.
While it might not be the most enticing return, Šilovs would have to clear waivers in order to be sent to the AHL beginning next season, meaning another team would’ve been able to pick him up for free.
Though he had starred for Abbotsford on their run to the Calder Cup, Šilovs had struggled with consistency at the NHL level. In 19 NHL games over the past three seasons, he put up a save percentage of just .880, which ranks 92nd of 99 goalies with at least 10 starts over that timeframe.
In 10 playoff games, he’d upped his performance slightly to a .898 save percentage and a record of 5-5-0, but the Canucks appeared not willing to roll the dice with him moving forward.
- You might also like:
- Vancouver Canucks forward Chytil marries long-time girlfriend