Vancouver Canucks Backup Goalie Arturs Silovs' Facing an AHL Demotion After Poor Start to NHL Season

There's no dancing around it, Vancouver Canucks goaltender Arturs Silovs has not been very good to start the 2024-25 NHL season and while last night's loss isn't solely his fault, it could lead management into making a difficult decision.

So far this season, Silovs has appeared in three games where he has a record of 0-2-1 along with a 5.00 goals against average, a .797 save percentage and has allowed 15 goals on 59 shots.

Silovs' rough start to the season could see him be assigned down to the American Hockey League's Abbotsford Canucks. Whether that be before or after the Canucks' three-game road trip, only time will tell.

The Riga, Latvia native, if assigned to Abbotsford, would need to use the demotion as motivation and it would be a great opportunity for him as well to get into more game action. With the way Kevin Lankinen has been playing recently, he's won the starting role until Thatcher Demko is able to return.

Playing down in Abbotsford could also help Arturs Silovs regain the confidence that Vancouver Canucks fans saw from the rookie netminder throughout the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, where he was lights out helping the team to Game 7 of the second round.

If Silovs were to get sent down to the American Hockey League, it's safe to say that Jiri Patera would be called up from Abbotsford. Patera has had a wild ride since signing a two-year contract with the Canucks back in July. During training camp, the Canucks placed Patera on waivers after the signing of Kevin Lankinen. Patera was claimed by the Boston Bruins amid their goaltending situation before Jeremy Swayman agreed to terms on a new deal. Less than a week later, the Bruins placed Jiri Patera back on waivers and where he was claimed by Patrik Allvin and assigned to the American Hockey League.

In four games with the Abbotsford Canucks this season, Patera has a record of 1-1-1 with a 2.73 goals against average, an .896 save percentage and one shutout.