In a move that shifts assets and opens pathways, the Vancouver Canucks have traded goaltender Arturs Silovs to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The transaction, completed on Sunday, sees the Canucks acquire forward Chase Stillman and a fourth-round selection in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft.
For Silovs, a 24-year-old Latvian netminder, this trade marks the conclusion of his time within the Canucks organization. His tenure was notably highlighted by a stellar performance in the AHL playoffs, where he backstopped the Abbotsford Canucks to a Calder Cup championship. In that dominant playoff run, Silovs posted a remarkable 16-7 record with a 2.01 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage, including five shutouts, earning him Playoff MVP honors.
Despite his undeniable success at the AHL level, Silovs` path to becoming a regular fixture in Vancouver`s NHL net was crowded. With Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen holding long-term commitments, the organizational depth chart presented a significant barrier for the young goaltender.
From the Canucks` perspective, the trade appears to be an exercise in asset management and roster balancing. General Manager Patrik Allvin indicated the move was made to provide Silovs with an opportunity elsewhere, given the Canucks` perceived strength in goaltending at all levels.
“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,” Allvin stated. The return package, acquiring a future draft pick and a depth forward in Stillman, adds different types of assets to the organizational pool.
Stillman, the player heading to Vancouver, is a former first-round pick (29th overall in 2021) by the New Jersey Devils. He spent the past season primarily in the AHL, splitting time between the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the Utica Comets (Vancouver`s previous AHL affiliate). He recorded 12 points across 65 AHL games.
For the Pittsburgh Penguins, the acquisition of Silovs adds a goaltender with recent, high-level minor league success to their system. While his NHL numbers in limited appearances (2-6-1, 3.65 GAA, .861 SV% in 10 games) with Vancouver were less impressive, his Calder Cup MVP performance suggests a capability to elevate his game, particularly in pressure situations. The Penguins bolster their goaltending depth with a prospect who has proven he can be an elite performer at the AHL level.
Here is a summary of the trade details:
* **To Pittsburgh Penguins:**
* Goaltender Arturs Silovs
* **To Vancouver Canucks:**
* Forward Chase Stillman
* Fourth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft
This transaction underscores a common reality in professional hockey: even exceptional performance at one level does not always guarantee immediate progression if the path ahead is blocked by established players. For Silovs, it`s a chance for a fresh start in a new organization`s goaltending hierarchy. For the Canucks, it`s a strategic divestment of an asset blocked by depth, yielding future potential and organizational flexibility. For the Penguins, it`s a calculated move to acquire a goalie with significant AHL pedigree.
Ellis Thorne 
Percy Harlow