2023-24 Vancouver Canucks Player Review: Artūrs Šilovs

The Vancouver Canucks have had a turbulent season with their goaltenders, but one player who has stepped up and impressed fans and teammates alike is Arturs Silovs, also known as "ilovs." After struggling in the AHL for parts of the season, ilovs has become a key figure for the Canucks during the playoffs, saving the team multiple times. Despite a few areas of concern, his strong performances have given hope that he is ready to be a full-time NHLer.

With Thatcher Demko and Casey DeSmith both going down in the first three games, ilovs was called up to guide the Canucks to Game 7 of the second round. Over his ten games as the starter, he went 5-5. His crowning moment came with a 28-save shutout in Game 6 versus the Nashville Predators, winning that series for the Canucks. Although his .891 save percentage was below the 50th percentile and he only had four games with a save percentage above .900, ilovs proved valuable by keeping Vancouver in games longer than they should have been.

As ilovs becomes the full-time backup for next season, higher expectations will be set. He needs to deliver strong performances consistently and could find himself thrust into action more often than past backup goaltenders if the Canucks decide to limit Demko's regular season games. Regardless, at just 23 years old, ilovs has shown why Ian Clark was eager for the team to draft him in 2019, as he has proven to have the potential to be a high-end goaltender in the NHL.