Artūrs Šilovs has a new deal with the Vancouver Canucks and almost certainly a new role in 2024-25. He is staying put for the next two seasons. Also, he will have an AAV of $850k per season.
Great Expectations for Artūrs Šilovs
If there is a more circuitous route to the NHL, than the one taken by Šilovs, let us know. The 23-year-old Latvian was drafted in 2019 and came to North America the next year, joining the Barrie Colts. Then the shutdowns in 2020 put the brakes on, well, everything as the world scrambled to deal with COVID-19. Leagues opened at different times in different locations, and Šilovs followed.
The next two years would make quite the travelogue. He played in two different leagues in Latvia, represented his country in the Deutschland Cup, one game for the Manitoba Moose, ten for Trois-Rivières in the ECHL, and a huge World Cup where he took the reins from the established NHL goaltender Elvis Merzlikins. All that for seven games in 2020-21 and 26 in 2021-22.
By the time the 2022-23 season rolled around, Šilovs was established in Abbotsford. He had a decent season, becoming the primary goaltender there. But the highlight of his year has to be when he backstopped Latvia to their first medal ever. Even with those accolades, the Canucks decided he was best suited for another year in the AHL. That lasted until Thatcher Demko injured himself, and Šilovs got the call to back up Casey DeSmith.
Again, he had perfectly good numbers in the AHL. But to expect a 22-year-old to take the place of a Vezina Trophy candidate is a bit much. He played four regular-season games behind DeSmith, going 3-0-1 and giving the team a chance to win each of them. Demko returned to the NHL club, Šilovs returned to Abbotsford, and life continued like it was supposed to.
Surprise!
Demko’s new injury opened the door for Artūrs Šilovs, and you’d better believe he waltzed through. After starting nine NHL games in two seasons, he started ten in the playoffs. He played excellently, even if his save percentage says otherwise. His calm demeanour and confident play were a boon for the team as they came within one game of the Western Conference Final.
In a normal year – if he ever has one – he would get a fairly boilerplate second deal. His rookie contract had two entry-level slides and his lack of experience in any pro league meant he’d probably get a two-way, short-term deal. But his playoff stretch alone made him a local hero and certainly added to his clout.
Note that he is waiver-exempt for one more year, meaning the Canucks can send him to Abbotsford without fear. This could be a handy way to bring in another NHL veteran as a safeguard against another Demko injury. Even if they did that, however, it is more likely that the switch would happen soon.
Artūrs Šilovs has more than proven he can keep a spot in the NHL in high-pressure situations. But he hasn’t been the guaranteed starter for any team yet. He can come up and move down as needed, but starting 60 games between the two leagues is ideal. It’s not like injuries don’t happen to the Canucks, so they might as well be ready for it.
Šilovs has waited a long time and travelled a long distance for this chance. He’s not perfect yet, but he’ll get a full season as a starter to get closer to it.
Main Photo: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
