Promising young goaltender Artūrs Šilovs has reached a two-year agreement with the Vancouver Canucks, according to an announcement made by the club on Tuesday. The deal, which reportedly has an annual average value of $850,000, aligns with the Canucks’ philosophy of offering two-year contracts to up-and-coming players who have yet to establish themselves as everyday NHL-level contributors.
This approach has been evident in recent years with defenseman Jack Rathbone and wingers Nils Höglander and Vasili Podkolzin, all of whom were signed to similar two-year “show-me” deals. Šilovs, despite an uneven campaign in the American League this past season, remains a prized asset in the Canucks’ goalie development pipeline. Whenever he was called upon at the NHL level, Šilovs demonstrated his ability to rise to the occasion.
During the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, Šilovs had the opportunity to step into the starter’s role for the Canucks, providing relief for both Thatcher Demko and Casey DeSmith. He displayed flashes of star-level impact and delivered a standout performance in Game 6, recording a shutout against the Nashville Predators and outplaying Vezina Trophy contender Juuse Saros.
General Manager Patrik Allvin expressed his confidence in Šilovs’ growth and development as a goalie, stating that the team expects him to compete for a full-time position with the Canucks in training camp. Allvin emphasized the organization’s commitment to working with Šilovs to sharpen his skills and provide him with the necessary tools to continue progressing in his young career.
While Šilovs possesses explosive athleticism, solid fundamentals, and a composed presence in the crease, his lack of NHL experience was occasionally evident during the Canucks’ playoff run. Against the Edmonton Oilers in the second round, Šilovs proved to be difficult to beat near the net but struggled to handle point shots sent through traffic. This highlights the need for more NHL-level repetitions to further his development.
If Šilovs is indeed the Canucks’ goaltender of the future, it would be ideal for him to start at least 40 games next season between the NHL and AHL levels. However, the club must also consider managing his workload effectively to maximize his long-term potential. Despite his aspirations of becoming a full-time NHL goaltender, Šilovs may face competition from free-agent acquisition Jiří Patera for the backup job in Vancouver this upcoming season.
One factor to monitor is Šilovs’ waiver-exempt status, which is relatively rare for a goaltender trusted to start meaningful games. The Canucks could potentially leverage this status to enhance their overall goaltending depth. It may also provide an advantage to Patera in a training camp battle with Šilovs for the backup role.
In conclusion, the signing of Artūrs Šilovs represents the Canucks’ commitment to nurturing young talent and providing opportunities for promising players to prove themselves. While Šilovs has already demonstrated his potential, continued development and increased NHL exposure will be crucial for him to solidify his position as a key contributor in Vancouver’s goaltending rotation.