The Vancouver Canucks have traded goaltender Arturs Silovs to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for forward Chase Stillman and a fourth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft. The deal, announced Sunday, aims to provide Silovs with a fresh opportunity while bolstering the Canucks' organizational depth.
Silovs, 24, is currently signed through the end of the season with an average annual value of $850,000. He is coming off a remarkable playoff performance with the Abbotsford Canucks, where he led the team to its first American Hockey League (AHL) championship and earned the Calder Cup Playoffs MVP award. During the playoff run, Silovs recorded a 16-7 record, along with a 2.01 goals-against average, a .931 save percentage, and five shutouts.
Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin expressed gratitude for Silovs' contributions to the organization, including his role in Abbotsford's Calder Cup victory. Allvin stated, "We wanted to give him an opportunity elsewhere as we feel we are very well positioned in goal at the NHL, AHL and developmental level. Acquiring a future pick and depth forward will add to our organizational depth".
Silovs's journey with the Canucks saw him start on opening night last season against the Calgary Flames. However, he struggled early and eventually lost his spot to Kevin Lankinen before being reassigned to the AHL in December following Thatcher Demko's return from a knee injury. In 10 NHL games (nine starts), Silovs posted a 2-6-1 record with a 3.65 goals-against average and an .861 save percentage. Despite his NHL struggles, he demonstrated his potential during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs when he stepped in for an injured Demko. He notably made 28 saves in a 1-0 win against the Nashville Predators in Game 6 of the Western Conference First Round.
With the Penguins, Silovs is expected to compete with Tristan Jarry, Joel Blomqvist, and prospect Sergei Murashov. The Penguins recently traded Alex Nedeljkovic to the San Jose Sharks, opening up an opportunity for Silovs to compete for a spot on the NHL roster. He was also named as one of Team Latvia's initial players for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
Chase Stillman, the return for the Canucks, is a former first-round pick who will add depth to the forward ranks. The acquisition of Stillman and a 2027 fourth-round pick provides the Canucks with added assets for the future.