Canucks Goaltending
From a stalwart, sometimes heroic, playoff performance last spring to a demotion to the American Hockey League on Sunday. Not an unusual scenario for young NHL netminders, with Arturs Silovs of the Canucks being the latest example.
This season, Silovs is 0-2-1 with a 4.77 goals-against average and 80.8% save percentage over three starts and a one relief role. He hasn’t started since October 30th at home against the New Jersey Devils when he got shelled six-nothing.
<< Canucks social media Sunday: General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that F Arshdeep Bains, F Nils Åman and G Artūrs Šilovs have been assigned to Abbotsford (AHL) and F Jonathan Lekkerimäki and G Ty Young have been recalled from Abbotsford (AHL). >>
Endless examples exist of young NHL goalies who arrive unexpectedly on the scene, almost always due to a regular starter’s injury, only to flourish in their sometimes elongated debuts. It can be in the playoffs or in the regular season, but either way, a goalie thrust into the situation shows confidence, is boosted by adrenaline and opportunity, and doesn’t overthink things.
Spencer Martin anyone? His mighty six-game flourish in the spring of 2022 had Canucks fans and media believing the club had found its new, inexpensive full-time back-up. Not so much.
Martin is now barely splitting time between the AHL and NHL, with one game played in the big show this season (Hurricanes), and a goals against average of 5.21 and a save percentage of .821.
Often, once the opportunity to shine shows the potential of becoming a regular gig, the heaviness of responsibility and the view of a long road ahead can begin to weigh heavily. Confidence wanes.
Obviously this is not to suggest Silovs was a one-trick pony, a flash in the pan, but as we’ve seen so many times before with other examples around the NHL, it’s time for him to return to his roots and find his game.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old Ty Young, a 5th-round NHL Draft pick of the Canucks two summers ago, gets the call-up to potentially sit on the bench Tuesday night behind Kevin Lankinen, a fortuitous and miraculous free agent signing for Vancouver in September.
The club awaits and yearns for the return of their world class number-one Thatcher Demko. Taking shots and working out on-ice with the club Sunday, his return appears to be imminent. (story coming)
Earlier Canucks:
— Boeser Injury; ‘Hopefully Brock’s Gonna Be OK’
