Patrik Allvin linked to the Penguins in potential goaltender trade

PUBLICATION

Cooper Godin
September 9, 2024 (1:09 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

The Vancouver Canucks and Pittsburgh Penguins could be trade partners to address their goaltending situation.

As we head into training camp next week, the Vancouver Canucks are evaluating their options on the goaltending market with Thatcher Demko's status to start the 2024-25 season up in the air.

Demko continues to recover from his knee injuries he sustained last season and in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but he reportedly returned to the ice last week, which is a good sign for the Canucks.

As for Arturs Silovs, he's expected to be good to go for training camp after suffering knee ligament inflammation prior to the start of the Final Olympic Qualifying tournament at the end of August.

Because of the uncertainty, the Canucks have been linked to a couple of goaltenders on the free agent market, but could they find their match via trade instead?

Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now believes that the Penguins and Canucks could be trade partners to address Vancouver's goaltending situation, with Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic.

"One team which could rattle the goalie trade market is the Vancouver Canucks. When Vancouver president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford needs something, he moves quickly and decisively, and Vancouver may very well need some help in net." Kingerski said.

He added, "Rutherford and Vancouver GM Patrik Allvin know Jarry very well. They didn't draft him, but they oversaw his development and his ascension to the NHL. Rutherford was the GM when Jarry elbowed past Matt Murray and claimed the starter's net, making the All-Star Game and posting a .919 save percentage in 2019-20."

Because the Vancouver Canucks are tight to the cap, Kingerski believes that if they were to acquire Tristan Jarry and if Demko isn't able to return soon, they could move Conor Garland to offset the salary.

"Jarry's contract could be offset in a deal with Vancouver because they, too, have a contract or two they might want to shed. Canucks winger Connor Garland has two more years on his contract with a cap hit near $5 million. If (and it's a big if) Vancouver is worried about the long-term prognosis of Demko, it's not hard to imagine a trade framework involving Jarry and Garland." Kingerski said.

We'll have to wait and see what the Canucks decide to do with their goaltending situation, but it seems more likely that they'll go down a PTO route with someone like Kevin Lankinen or Antti Raanta, than a trade.

Source: Dan Kingerski/Pittsburgh Hockey Now
How Penguins Could Affect Goalie Trade Market; 3 Teams in Need