Canucks: What's greatest profession improvement path for sensational Arturs Silovs?

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Environment friendly. Efficient. Exuberant. Endearing.

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Scripting the swift and beautiful success of intriguing Arturs Silovs already contains numerous adjectives to aptly assess what the Vancouver Canucks have of their prime NHL goaltending prospect. 

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From being thrown to the wolves in his first NHL regular-season begin Feb. 15, to backstopping the AHL affiliate in Abbotsford to the post-season, after which culminating in an incredible World Hockey Championship run Sunday with a surprising 4-3 time beyond regulation choice over the favoured U.S., questions beg about his taking part in future.

Abbotsford or Vancouver?

Silovs went 7-2-0 within the occasion, appeared in all 10 video games and posted a glowing 2.20 goals-against common and excellent .921 saves share.

He was additionally named the occasion’s Most worthy participant.

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Kristians Rubins scored the late equalizer after which the winner at 1:22 of the additional session as Latvia claimed its first medal within the annual occasion.

“For the massive groups like Canada, that is what they do,” an ecstatic Miks Indrasis advised reporters. “They win medals on a regular basis. However for us, it’s like a one-time alternative. That is unreal.”

Silovs was additionally unreal.

At 22, he already has the numbers, poise and manufacturing to make a case for a promotion to function the backup to Thatcher Demko subsequent season. In his first full AHL season, Silovs was 26-12-5 with a 2.44 GAA, .909 share and 4 shutouts. He additionally had a 3-2-0 document with the Canucks which included 35 and 32-save outings.

If all that isn’t sufficient, the place is trending youthful.

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Spencer Knight, 21, of the Florida Panthers logged 21 video games in 2022-23, which is the equal workload of an NHL backup. There was additionally a trio of 22-year-old goalies — Lukas Dostal of the Anaheim Geese, Akira Schmid of the New Jersey Devils and Mads Sogaard of the Ottawa Senators — who performed 19, 18 and 19 video games respectively this season.

Nevertheless, the profession monitor for Silovs appears extra a matter of reasoning and actuality.

Collin Delia, 28, is an unrestricted free agent, Spencer Martin, 27, has a 12 months left on his deal and has had his NHL moments, and towering Belarus stopper Mikita Tolopilo, 23, of the Swedish Allvenskan second-tier loop was signed to an NHL entry-level deal in March.

Thatcher Demko logged 107 video games over three seasons with Utica of the AHL earlier than he began to share the cage right here with Jacob Markstrom.

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And when wholesome, Demko goes to play so much. His career-high 64 video games in 2021-22 included NHL profession highs for wins (33), goals-against common (2.72) and equalling a excessive for save share (. 915).

“There’s no sense in having him (Silovs) right here on a full-time foundation if Thatcher is taking part in 80 per cent of the video games,” mentioned former NHL goalie and broadcaster John Garrett. “The benefit of getting the farm workforce in Abbotsford is you can let him play regularly there and convey him in if there are any accidents and for some spot obligation.”

Garrett performed in one other period. There have been two seasons within the minors after which six within the WHA earlier than attending to the NHL at age 28. And being prepared.

“It was the WHA expertise,” he recalled. “The great groups have been pretty much as good as so much within the NHL. And Harry Neale (coach) helped me essentially the most within the WHL at Minnesota. He gave me confidence and performed me so much (58 video games, 1974-75).”

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Kelly Hrudey additionally performed his minor-league dues earlier than changing into a starter with the New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks.

“I feel minor-league expertise is invaluable,” he mentioned. “The trick is discovering the correct quantity of video games. I performed 104 video games in Indianapolis (CHL) and two playoffs the place we gained the championship.

“Arturs has performed 67 within the minors and I don’t suppose it will harm to play another, and if prepared, then come up later within the season.”

What separates Silovs from the prospects pack is his anticipation-over-angst persona.

He obtained a fast style of NHL actuality in his regular-season debut at Rogers Enviornment. He was crushed by a pair of New York Rangers snipers on the primary two of 4 pictures he confronted, however wasn’t fazed by the education in a 6-4 loss.

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Mika Zibanejad raced down the wing, faked a wrister, and Silovs opened up the wickets to permit a five-hole purpose. Artemi Panarin then adopted by taking a cross-ice feed and whipping a shot house earlier than Silovs might get from submit to submit.

That double-dilemma might have gotten to a variety of younger stoppers, but it surely was a window on Silovs’ world. The Latvian lapped up the expertise.

“For positive, it’s totally different abilities and pace, but it surely was enjoyable to play to get that have,” he mentioned. “That’s good for me.

“I wasn’t actually nervous, however excited to play. It was good to get right into a rhythm and feeling the puck and the pace. It obtained a lot better.”

OVERTIME — Canada claimed its second gold medal in three years Sunday on the world championship, and fourth-consecutive medal, by rallying with a robust third interval to defeat upstart Germany 5-2. Samuel Blais scored twice whereas Lawson Crouse, Tyler Toffoli and Scott Laughton additionally scored for Canada.

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