Thatcher Demko is officially back for the Vancouver Canucks and with that came the expectation that the Canucks would reassign one of their other two netminders. That time has come as the organization announced they have reassigned goaltender Arturs Silovs to their AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks.
Silovs became the obvious man-out in Vancouver on the heels of an abysmal start to the 2024-25 NHL season. There was some optimism that Silovs was a potential breakout candidate this year after backstopping the Canucks to Game Seven of their Round Two matchup against the Edmonton Oilers in the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs.
He finished the 2024 postseason with a 5-5-0 record in 10 starts with a .898 save percentage and a 2.91 goals-against average. It was the longest chain of starts for Silovs in his young NHL career and he proved relatively reliable in Demko’s absence.
That optimism and confidence have evaporated with Silovs starting the 2024-25 NHL season with a 1-4-1 record in six starts, a .847 SV%, and a 4.11 GAA. It’s quickly become necessary for Silovs to continue his development in AHL Abbotsford.
It’ll be a familiar environment for the Riga, Latvia native. He’s been exceptionally consistent throughout his time in Abbotsford boasting a career record of 46-30-11, a .906 SV%, 2.62 GAA, and nine shutouts in 90 career AHL contests.
Silovs will look to regain his confidence in the AHL barring any more injuries at the NHL level. The Canucks, who are in third place in the Pacific Division, should be more than fine staying competitive with their current duo.