Vancouver Canucks Announce Roster Transaction Involving Top Goalie Prospect Nikita Tolopilo

Just before yesterday's trade deadline, the Vancouver Canucks announced a paper transaction, sending Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Victor Mancini and Arturs Silovs to the American Hockey League.

The purpose of the paper transaction was to ensure that all three of them are eligible to appear in the Calder Cup Playoffs, if the Abbotsford Canucks qualify, but for Arturs Silovs, it looks like he's actually heading down to the AHL for the time being.

In a post on social media on Saturday, the Vancouver Canucks announced that they're assigned Arturs Silovs to the Abbotsford Canucks, while calling up 24-year-old Belarusian netminder Nikita Tolopilo.

Aside from being with the team as a practice goalie near the end of the 4 Nations Face-Off break, this is Nikita Tolopilo's first call-up to the National Hockey League since signing with the Vancouver Canucks as an undrafted free agent out of the KHL in the spring of 2023.

The Minsk, Belarus native has appeared in 28 games this season for the Abbotsford Canucks where he has a record of 12-13-2, a 2.87 goals against average, an .890 save percentage and three shutouts.

If Nikita Tolopilo sticks with the club over the next few days, instead of the club bringing Arturs Silovs back up, there's a good chance Vancouver Canucks fans may see him make his NHL debut, likely against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night.

Rick Tocchet's group have two sets of back-to-backs in the next eight days and with Wednesday's game being against the Calgary Flames, a team their in a wild card race with in the Western Conference, Tuesday's game vs Montreal seems ideal for Tolopilo's NHL debut.

The Vancouver Canucks will be back in action on Sunday night as they host the Dallas Stars, with puck drop set for 6 pm PT and fans being able to watch nationwide on all Sportsnet channels.