Insider confirms the Canucks' intentions with Arturs Silovs' future

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Cooper Godin
May 22, 2024 (7:54 PM)

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The Vancouver Canucks were tested with their goaltending situation this season and in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, using three different netminders in their first-round series against the Nashville Predators.

Due to an injury to Thatcher Demko, Rick Tocchet turned to Casey DeSmith for Game 2 against Nashville, which the Predators won by a score of 4-1. DeSmith then started Game 3 and got the win, but also suffered an injury, albeit a minor one, forcing the Canucks to use rookie goaltender Arturs Silovs in Game 4.

Silovs took the crease and ran with it, starting the final ten games of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the Canucks. Everyone already knew what Silovs was capable of, including playing in pressure situations after his MVP performance at the 2023 IIHF World Hockey Championship. Still, the Stanley Cup Playoffs are a different animal. However, it didn't faze Silovs, and he played his heart out in each of his ten starts.

Vancouver's goaltending situation will be a big topic of discussion in the coming weeks. Thatcher Demko will be back at 100% for opening night and will definitely be the starting netminder, but the backup role was a bit unclear prior to Silovs' strong playoff performance.

It now appears that Casey DeSmith's time with the Canucks is over. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, he believes that Silovs will share the crease with Thatcher Demko during the 2024-25 season and that Casey DeSmith will move on and hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent on Canada Day.

"Silovs: Probably shares the job with Demko. He thinks DeSmith has moved on. Not UFA or any Arbitration rights."

If this is the case, it's undoubtedly the right decision. Silovs is ready to be in the National Hockey League full-time, even if he's the backup to Thatcher Demko. Silovs had a 2.74 goal-against average this season in the AHL, a .907 save percentage, and four shutouts in 34 games.

How many games do you think Arturs Silovs will play for the Vancouver Canucks next season? Let us know what you think in the poll below!