Arturs Silovs, the up-and-coming goalie prospect for the Vancouver Canucks, had a season at the NHL level that could only be described as challenging. Sometimes, a young athlete just needs a breather and reset to find their stride again.
Fresh off a solid playoff run with the Canucks, the 24-year-old Latvian found himself stepping into the spotlight as Thatcher Demko was sidelined by injury. However, once the dust settled on the 2024-25 season, Silovs was left looking at a tough set of numbers: a 2-6-1 record in 10 appearances, with a 3.65 GAA and a .861 save percentage—stats that put him near the bottom of the league for goalies with at least 10 games.
But here's where things get interesting. Back in the AHL with the Abbotsford Canucks, Silovs flipped the script.
In his 21 regular season games, coached by Manny Malhotra, he went 14-5-2. While his .908 save percentage and 2.41 GAA were decent, it’s in the Calder Cup playoffs where Silovs truly shined.
His stellar 9-3-0 record, coupled with a dazzling 1.74 GAA, a .937 save percentage, and an impressive four shutouts, showcases a player on a mission.
NHL franchises place immense value on playoff success, and the Canucks are no exception. With questions around Thatcher Demko’s injury history and Kevin Lankinen's performance wavering at times, Silovs’ standout show might just secure him a place on the NHL roster next season.
This could lead to Vancouver experimenting with a rare three-goalie system, which has its benefits. Such a setup would allow the team to balance its roster, keeping one extra forward and defenseman while providing prospects with ample ice time in Abbotsford, biding their time until they're NHL-ready.
The strategy isn't without precedent. Last season, the Philadelphia Flyers deployed a similar tactic using Sam Ersson, Ivan Fedotov, and Aleksei Kolosov to manage injuries and inconsistent performances. For the Canucks, taking a page from this book could be a clever move.
Silovs has a significant opportunity ahead. If he carries his late-season momentum into training camp, he might just carve out a spot for himself in the NHL once more—this time, firmly establishing his place.
