In a transaction completed on Sunday, July 13, 2025, the Vancouver Canucks have traded goaltender Arturs Silovs to the Pittsburgh Penguins. This move sees the promising netminder, who recently backstopped the Abbotsford Canucks to a Calder Cup championship, depart the organization that drafted him. In return, Vancouver acquires forward Chase Stillman and a fourth-round selection in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft.
Silovs, 24, was a standout performer for the Canucks` AHL affiliate, particularly during their successful playoff run. He posted a remarkable 16-7 record with a 2.01 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage in the Calder Cup playoffs, earning MVP honors for his stellar play, which included five shutouts. His regular season AHL stats were also solid (14-5-1, .908 SV%, 2.41 GAA in 21 games).
Despite his considerable success and clear potential in the American Hockey League, Silovs` path to becoming a regular NHL goaltender in Vancouver appeared congested. With Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen holding down the primary goaltending roles under long-term contracts, the opportunity for Silovs to graduate to the Canucks` NHL roster in a significant capacity was uncertain. General Manager Patrik Allvin acknowledged this dynamic, stating the trade was partly motivated by giving Silovs an opportunity elsewhere.
“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 noted. He also highlighted Silovs` crucial role in the Abbotsford championship and the organizational benefits derived from the return package.
The Canucks acquire forward Chase Stillman, a former first-round pick (21st overall in 2021, originally drafted by New Jersey). Stillman, who split the previous season between the AHL`s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Utica Comets, registered 12 points in 65 games. He represents an addition to Vancouver`s forward depth within the organizational pipeline. The inclusion of a fourth-round pick in the 2027 draft provides Vancouver with a future asset, adding to their long-term draft capital.
For Arturs Silovs, the move to Pittsburgh offers a fresh start and a new environment where he can continue his development. For the Penguins, it`s an acquisition of a goaltender who has demonstrated he can perform exceptionally under playoff pressure at the AHL level, representing a potentially valuable depth piece for their goaltending future. In the continuous churn of NHL roster management, a promising prospect`s value is often realized not just on the ice, but also in the assets they can bring back in a trade – a standard operational procedure, even when it involves a playoff MVP.
