Arturs Silovs | #31 | G

[Jess]

59 minutes ago, Wheres Wellwood said:

Anybody worried that either 1) his next contract is more expensive than Desmith is now or 2) he gets offer sheeted to something we cant match for a back up goalie?

 

.908 save percentage in the playoffs. He's been amazing at times, but not great at other times. He still lacks consistency at this point. His contract won't be crazy.

[OldFaithfulcap]

7 hours ago, Wheres Wellwood said:

Anybody worried that either 1) his next contract is more expensive than Desmith is now or 2) he gets offer sheeted to something we cant match for a back up goalie?

 

He had strong trade value before the playoffs. I didn't want to move him but I would have for an elite scorer. I think alvin will re-sign him quickly after the season ends. 

[6of1_halfdozenofother]

Quote

‘Minister of Defence,’ Canucks Artūrs Šilovs keeping Latvia up all night

 

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Arturs Silovs (31) defends the goal against the Nashville Predators during the second period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, May 3, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

   

By Charlie Carey and Srushti Gangdev

Posted May 17, 2024 12:32 pm.

Last Updated May 17, 2024 1:27 pm.

The Vancouver Canucks third-string goalie is making a name for himself in North America, after being called up to start multiple NHL playoff games and showing off his metal when being pressured.

But in his home country of Latvia, Artūrs Šilovs is a national hero. And now, he’s keeping the entire country up at night as citizens of the Baltic country turn on their televisions to watch their “Minister of Defence” hit the ice.

“You have to wait until 4 a.m. or 4:30 in the morning usually to watch Šilovs play. It’s a bit of a difficult time for Latvia, so we really hope that you win so that we haven’t wasted all this sleeping time,” Latvian journalist Kristaps Andrejsons told CityNews Friday morning.

Andrejsons says “productivity” in the country has dipped, too, as Latvians take time off work to watch their Minister play.

“Latvian productivity is at an all-time low during May, because people just sleep for about three hours per night before going to their jobs,” he joked.

A hockey-mad country, Andrejsons explains the country needs the Canucks to also win so they can get Šilovs back in their national side. The Latvian national team — without Šilovs — is currently in Czechia trying to defend their IIHF Bronze medal.

Related:

• Vancouver Canucks’ Silovs to start Game 1, Pettersson in after missing practice
• Arty Party continues as Canucks take Game 3 against Oilers
• Game 4: Canucks now on third goalie after DeSmith hurt; Vancouver takes on Predators in Nashville Sunday afternoon

“We’ve been loving hockey since the Soviet era. And we were also very interested in this when we got our independence. And then well, Šilovs, he carried us through last year’s World Championships when we got bronze,” he explained.

“This was our first medal ever. … We’ve always been a bit of a middle-ranking team, we never really had massive success. However, last year was something special, and now everyone who was on that team is a glorious national hero for life.

“Šilovs will never have to pay for his own drinks in Riga or wherever he goes,” he said.

“Obviously, this year our [World Championship] team is trying their best, we’re also following Šilovs because you know, he already has a World Cup medal and we want him to win the Stanley Cup.”

Andrejsons says that while the country also loves Šilovs teammate and Latvian national Teddy Blueger, the Latvian national team doesn’t have a good defence, and so “our goalies have to be really good to carry us all the way.”

“We have memes calling him our ‘Minister of Defence’ at this point. We really appreciate good goaltending, a lot, and we really hope that he succeeds with everything.

“We’re really glad that the team he’s playing for is the Canucks because it would be much harder if it was something like the Florida Panthers because we don’t like Ovechkin much,” he explained.

Andrejsons says everyone, “literally everyone” in the Baltic country roughly the size of the Lower Mainland, with almost 2 million people, will be watching Šilovs in Game 6 Saturday night.

“Please do make it to the finals,” he said. “We’re going to be super excited for this.”

He says Latvians already have plans in the works for if, and when, Šilovs has the opportunity to bring the Stanley Cup back home to Europe.

“We will be super excited to have that in Riga, because we want to see it and then everyone’s gonna take the day off. There’s gonna be a massive picture-taking event and massive partying.

“It’s going to be a great achievement to see Lord Stanley’s trophy back here in Riga. That’s something that almost everyone wants to see.”

With rumours that first-string goalie Thatcher Demko might start in the net on Saturday night after being out with injury, Andrejsons says this of Šilovs:

“What I can tell you, 100 per cent, is that he’s not going to break mentally, he’s going to put his heart on the ice,” he said. “Why? Because he’s Latvian, and we can’t do otherwise. He’s going to do his best, even if he might not succeed sometimes.”

Andrejsons says Šilovs love of ice packs in the locker room helps him stay calm and cool.

“That’s a common thing in Latvia that you’re recommended to do — when you’re stressed out and everything.”

The puck drops at 5 p.m. Saturday for Game 6 in Edmonton.

 

https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2024/05/17/vancouver-canucks-arturs-silovs-keeping-lativia-up-playoffs/

 

There are bunch of "tweets" embedded in the article that probably won't display in the quote above, so I'd suggest going to the URL above to see those (there are too many to try to embed separately in this post).

[Jess]

14 minutes ago, 6of1_halfdozenofother said:

 

https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2024/05/17/vancouver-canucks-arturs-silovs-keeping-lativia-up-playoffs/

 

There are bunch of "tweets" embedded in the article that probably won't display in the quote above, so I'd suggest going to the URL above to see those (there are too many to try to embed separately in this post).

 

Lavtia is now full of Canuck fans. Love to see it.

[Sijell]

We should name him Doom! 

Chant that when he saves the good save. 

[kettlevalley]

When you watch Silovs he is just so calm and solid in the net.  Really like this kid and how he plays.  

[DANJR]

Hope he makes the main team next year.  Can't see why he wouldn't. 

[Jess]

4 hours ago, DANJR said:

Hope he makes the main team next year.  Can't see why he wouldn't. 

 

He might. .898 save percentage in the playoffs is just okay though. He performed well for a 3rd string, but in the end, his results were fairly pedestrian. He does have a chance at being backup, but I wouldn't be stunned if the team got a more veteran backup even still.

 

That said, given our prospective cap issues, it makes sense to sign Silovs to a cheap 1-way deal to save cap and use him as the backup.

[Bob Long]

4 hours ago, -AJ- said:

 

He might. .898 save percentage in the playoffs is just okay though. He performed well for a 3rd string, but in the end, his results were fairly pedestrian. He does have a chance at being backup, but I wouldn't be stunned if the team got a more veteran backup even still.

 

That said, given our prospective cap issues, it makes sense to sign Silovs to a cheap 1-way deal to save cap and use him as the backup.

 

Against the Oilers tho for 7 games tho, still pretty good.

 

Imo he showed remarkably well, particularly on the desperate plays.

 

He just needs more seasoning but we could do a lot worse for a backup.

[Alflives]

20 minutes ago, Bob Long said:

 

Against the Oilers tho for 7 games tho, still pretty good.

 

Imo he showed remarkably well, particularly on the desperate plays.

 

He just needs more seasoning but we could do a lot worse for a backup.

We have Demko in nets and we certainly win the Cup this year. Silovs is an okay goalie and will be a good backup for next season. 

[Bob Long]

Just now, Alflives said:

We have Demko in nets and we certainly win the Cup this year. Silovs is an okay goalie and will be a good backup for next season. 

 

Yep, as soon as Demko went down we were on borrowed time.

[Alflives]

5 minutes ago, Bob Long said:

 

Yep, as soon as Demko went down we were on borrowed time.

Yup. We did learn that Silovs is a player though. He’s a nice asset. He could play 30 games next year. Provide Demko rest. 

[Bob Long]

15 minutes ago, Alflives said:

Yup. We did learn that Silovs is a player though. He’s a nice asset. He could play 30 games next year. Provide Demko rest. 

 

Clark did an amazing job on the fly with this kid, playing every 3rd or 4th game with all that coaching and practice time in between? kid will be great. Plus we know he can handle pressure. Its something you'd never know without going for the playoffs. 

 

 

[flat land fish]

He's at the right point to step in as full-time backup goalie.  Oddly his biggest challenge might be playing on a more limited basis as I'm sure he's been getting the Lions share of the playing time on his team's up until now.  

[RJCF96]

3 hours ago, Bob Long said:

 

Against the Oilers tho for 7 games tho, still pretty good.

 

Imo he showed remarkably well, particularly on the desperate plays.

 

He just needs more seasoning but we could do a lot worse for a backup.

Outside of Game 1 and Game 6 of the Oilers series, I would say his stats have been really good. It is tough to step into the middle of a playoff series, taking over the net from a Vezina finalist and perform.

 

He gave us a chance to win every game he played in, and that's all we can ask for.

[Maniwaki Mauler]

I am in disbelief most of you are downplaying Silov's role in the playoffs LOL were you guys watching? 

Unbelievable, tasked with outplaying the other netminder by 20 shots a game while offense is not pulling their end 

His stock has risen far more than you guys are stating, he will be a champion, 3rd place with Latvia already 

[Sooey Steamer]

I know his save percentage wasn't brilliant but I wonder what it would be if you took out all the "own" goals (bounces and tips off our own players and Edmonton power play goals?  I think he did remarkably well in these games!

[Rip The Mesh]

(Arturs Silovs’s start in the Stanley Cup playoffs not only gave Vancouver Canucks fans something to cheer for, but he also pushed the conversation around the future of the crease in this town in a new direction.

 

(Thatcher Demko remains the man, but goalies play the most physically demanding position in North American pro sports, and durability is a question mark for all of them.

One day the crease won’t be Demko’s. Obviously, the Canucks hope that day is a long way off. But they would be foolish not to also think about the what-ifs.

And Silovs’ solid play provides plenty of fodder for the what-if game.

Today is the third and final part of our three-part review of the Canucks’ roster inventory. We have already looked at the forwards and the defencemen, so today we take a look at the goalies.

The story lines here are pretty obvious and pretty well-known to Canucks fans, but there are a couple further items worth considering.

Let’s dive in.

 

(Under contract and going nowhere
Thatcher Demko, Arturs Silovs

Demko’s season was truly remarkable. His play was so stellar, he is a finalist for the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s best goalie.

It’s a deserved honour.

After he struggled in the first half of 2022-23, he rebounded back to his classic form last spring and indeed improved upon that performance this season.

With the Canucks developing into a stout defensive unit in front of Demko, the resurgent netminder leapt forward in form into the goalie most thought he could be.

That’s great for the Canucks.

But, of course, the question now is about durability. For two years in a row he has suffered substantial injuries to important joints.

He will be 29 years old in December. He plays the position as hard as anyone in the game. And the demands that modern goaltending places on the body are extreme.

 

(On paper, you would think he is going to be a reliable player, year over year, if he’s healthy.

But that’s actually rarely the case. There is all kinds of data that says goalie performance, for whatever reason, rarely repeats year over year, even for the game’s best netminders.

Yes, there are some outliers — the very best of the best — but even keeping yourself in the outlier window for more than a few seasons is a hard thing to do.

Demko doesn’t like to be thought of as injury-prone, but given the last two seasons, there is plenty of reason to think he should be playing less that he has.

 

(Which brings us to Silovs.

The quiet Latvian was fantastic in the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs.

He wasn’t night-in night-out elite — see especially his struggles with tracking long shots — but pushed onto the big stage all the way from number-three on the depth chart, he performed admirably.

 

(And if the Canucks are able to play as well defensively next season as this past season, that’s going to be a fantastic environment for him to compete in, assuming he is handed the backup’s role.

Of course, the more eyes on him at the NHL level the more his weaknesses could be exposed. That is surely some of the reason there’s so much variance in performance for most goalies, year to year.

That is the task for Silovs now. How does he adapt to ongoing NHL pressure?

He handled a month in the playoff cauldron, but what about the monotony of the regular season.

And of course, the Canucks could yet decide they would like another goalie with NHL experience in the fold, whether that’s bringing back Casey DeSmith or looking at another veteran.

 

(The free agent
Casey DeSmith

DeSmith was the best backup in the Canucks fold in a decade. He never was going to push Demko out of the top spot, but just about every time he stood in the crease, he did exactly what you want your backup to be — reliable.

Sure, there were goals here and there that you knew Demko might have stopped. But never did you think, “Oh no, this is guaranteed to go badly.”

DeSmith gave his team a chance to win.

But he is a backup goalie, and backup goalies are only in their job so long as they are better than the alternatives.

And in Silovs, that’s no longer the case.

DeSmith’s post-season story is a reminder of how quickly your moment can pass.

After Thatcher Demko was knocked out of the playoffs right off the bat, it was DeSmith who stepped into the breach. And he was plenty good filling in for two games.

 

(Long-term, if Tolopilo continues his ascendance, he’s going to force change at the top of the Canucks’ depth chart. Of course the Canucks hope that Demko will go on forever, but he won’t.

And Silovs is a good goalie, but as everyone likes to note, goalies are voodoo and you should never bank on them carrying on.

That’s why you keep looking for the next one and if Tolopilo looks like he’s going to be the next one, the Canucks will surely start pondering the future of the two currently at the top.

[Hammertime]

On 5/21/2024 at 8:52 AM, flat land fish said:

He's at the right point to step in as full-time backup goalie.  Oddly his biggest challenge might be playing on a more limited basis as I'm sure he's been getting the Lions share of the playing time on his team's up until now.  

[Rip The Mesh]

A week after free agency opened, one player on the Vancouver Canucks roster has yet to be signed. After a spectacular postseason, Artūrs Šilovs is looking to capitalize this offseason after his entry-level contract ended this year. The 23-year-old did receive a qualifying offer but is most likely looking for a significant raise heading into the 2024-25 season. 

 

After struggling in the AHL, Šilovs took over the starter net for Vancouver in Game 4 of their first series against the Nashville Predators. During his ten games in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Šilovs went 5-5, with some of his biggest moments being a shutout of the Nashville Predators in Game 6 to win the first-round series and a 42-save performance in Game 4 of the second round versus the Edmonton Oilers. While his body of work at the NHL level is small, Šilovs proved he can step up on the biggest stage and deliver standout performances in the postseason.

 

According to AFPAnalytics, Šilovs' projected contract is two years at $999,780.00. This would be a massive win for the Canucks as it would keep their backup under $1 million while also keeping the team out of LTIR. Unfortunately, for Vancouver, this type of deal may not be realistic as Šilovs camp will want to see a more significant raise if he is going to be the team's backup next season. 

Comparing Šilovs' situation to other goaltenders is complicated because most don't have the same backstory that he does. The only real comparable is Philadelphia Flyers' Samuel Ersson, who signed a two-year contract worth $2.9 million last August. Carrying an AAV of $1.45 million, this is the type of contract Šilovs' and his camp may be aiming for as the situation and age are similar.

 

 At this point of the offseason, Šilovs remaining unsigned is problematic for the Canucks. With the team close to the salary cap ceiling, GM Patrik Allvin needs to know precisely how much money he has available to improve the team ahead of training camp. While this deal may take a while to sort out, locking up Šilovs should remain the top priority for Vancouver this offseason. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Demko and Silovs; After what we've seen, why go any other way? 

[Rip The Mesh]

 

 

[PureQuickness]

1 hour ago, Rip The Mesh said:

 

 

 

It's interesting that the media has to manufacture something to talk about. I'm not condemning them, nor am I meaning to do that. It's just that the media has to find something to talk about - whether that is good or bad - because that generates activity. It's just inherent to that business.
 

Vancouver media, to their credit, has been largely acceptable in their conduct. I feel like some media companies/people will deliberately engineer a story (akin to the Hughes on IV story). Some things are reported as fact when they are IN FACT speculation. The wording can be manipulated to make something seem more real than they really are. I think Satiar Shah tried to gamble with the idea that we'd almost certainly land the Jake Guentzel sweepstakes and he lost badly in that. I like Satiar Shah, but we are seeing a trend of reporters trying to become insiders (and proving not to be).

[Rip The Mesh]

8 minutes ago, PureQuickness said:

 

It's interesting that the media has to manufacture something to talk about. I'm not condemning them, nor am I meaning to do that. It's just that the media has to find something to talk about - whether that is good or bad - because that generates activity. It's just inherent to that business.
 

Vancouver media, to their credit, has been largely acceptable in their conduct. I feel like some media companies/people will deliberately engineer a story (akin to the Hughes on IV story). Some things are reported as fact when they are IN FACT speculation. The wording can be manipulated to make something seem more real than they really are. I think Satiar Shah tried to gamble with the idea that we'd almost certainly land the Jake Guentzel sweepstakes and he lost badly in that. I like Satiar Shah, but we are seeing a trend of reporters trying to become insiders (and proving not to be).

I do find it odd though. Silvos does have the right to do what, he feels, is right for him.  Canucks need to make him Demko's  partner full time, partner.

There's always the chance he wants to be the main man. That can't happen here at this point. If yah do this and listen to this shit long enough...

There; I wrote those two little sentences myself and I'm just a fan.  They feel using dramatic words will get them more ticks..... Satire Shah gets more aggressive 

every year.

[Rip The Mesh]

Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin confirmed Tuesday that the NHL club has agreed to terms with goaltender Artūrs Šilovs on a two-year contract that carries an annual average value of $US850,000. It leaves the Canucks with $165,833 in salary cap space and with Tucker Poolman not on long term injury reserve.

“Artūrs helped us out a lot when called upon last year as he continues to grow and develop as a goalie,” Allvin said in a statement. “We expect him to come into training camp and battle for a full-time position with the big club. Our group will continue to work with him to help sharpen his skills and provide him with all the tools necessary to take another step forward in his young career.”

Šilovs become talk of this town for his laid-back approach and carrying a significant workload when it mattered the most. What he accomplished in his first three playoff starts last season — including a shutout May 3 in a 1-0 victory at Nashville to clinch the first-round series against the pesky Predators — didn’t go unnoticed.

 

In a dozen NHL regular-season games, and supplanting the injured Thatcher Demko and Casey DeSmith, the growth in the stopper’s game is matched by the demeanour to handle the heat, even though he often looks like a spent boxer between rounds in a title bout. He’s now in position to back up Demko with DeSmith joining the Dallas Stars in free agency.

He slumps in his stall between periods with an ice bag on top of his head. He doesn’t talk. He just has the look of knowing what he has to do when the mayhem resumes. He’s a modern-day Rocky Balboa who just wants to go the distance. The rookie also turned playoff saviour and cult figure for legions of adoring fans. They don’t shout ‘Rocky, Rocky’. It’s ‘Arty, Arty.’

“I don’t think he thinks — he just does what he’s told,” said impressed Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet. He’s just a guy who comes to the rink every day and does this thing.”

 

“There was always a thought we could win against Canada in the semifinals, “he recalled. “We could have played in the final, and who knows?, maybe win? It was great, but I always have that thing where I think I could have played a little bit better. 

“I have that kind of thing in my head always. A goal or situation you could have handled better.”

For those who have played the position, that mindset and a willingness to work on his game, are going to be springboards to success.

“You have to give Ian Clark (goalie coach) a lot of credit,” said former Canucks goalie John Garrett. “When Artūrs first came in, he was so athletic, but was overplaying a lot of things. First couple of times I saw him I thought it was going to be hard to rein him in. Obviously, Ian has has done that.

 

And about that ice on the head. What gives?

Which gets us back to that ice pack. What gives?

“It’s always been there, just to cool myself down,” shrugged Šilovs. “It was a huge relief after winning Game 6 (Nashville). Everything has come together. For me, I just have to keep with things in my game and that (cheering) is like outside noise. It’s nice to have it, but you just have to be so focused on doing your job.”

It comes with not being overwhelmed by the spotlight or expectations.

Šilovs backstopped his native Latvia to world championship bronze in May of 2023 on home soil with a stunning display — 7-2-0, 2.20 GAA and .921 saves percentage — earned MVP honours and the kind of confidence you can’t manufacture. It even included a little swagger.

 

“He’s in control and calm and cool. He’s at the stop of the crease. His feet are steady.”

 

“He’s in control and calm and cool. He’s at the stop of the crease. His feet are steady.”

Šilovs appeared in 34 regular-season games with the AHL Abbotsford Canucks in 2023-24, posting a record of 16-11-6 with a 2.74 GAA and a .907 save percentage, as well as four regular season games with Vancouver, sporting a 3-0-1 mark with a 2.47 GAA and an .881 save percentage.

Šilovs also appeared in his first 10 playoff games of his NHL career with the Canucks going 5-5-0 with a 2.91 GAA and an .898 save percentage.

The 6-foot-4, 203 pound stopper appeared in 89 regular season AHL games across four seasons. He sported a record of 45-30-11, a GAA of 2.62, and a .906 save percentage, along with nine regular season NHL games, holding a record of 6-2-1 with a 2.62 GAA and an .898 save percentage. And there were also two AHL playoff games with a 1-1 record and 2.85 GAA and a .914 save percentage.

Edited July 16 by Rip The Mesh

[Rip The Mesh]

 

Edited July 17 by Rip The Mesh