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Oilers Eye Blackhawks Goalie After Getting Rejected in Trade by Division Rival

Originally posted on Hockey Latest | By Daniel Lucente | Last updated Jul 21, 2025 10:01 AM ET

The Oilers could be keeping tabs on one of Chicago's three healthy goalies this offseason after they got rejected by the Canucks in a trade for Arturs Silovs.

The Pittsburgh Penguins stepped up big a little while back by acquiring goaltender Arturs Silovs from the Vancouver Canucks.

With Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen being signed for the long term, the Canucks didn't have a lot of room for Arturs Silovs, so the trade was a good decision on their end.

Silovs, 24, is a talented young netminder who greatly increased his profile over the course of the Abbotsford Canucks' AHL playoff run.

Silovs won AHL playoff MVP as his team won the Calder Cup

He assisted in pushing the team to a Calder Cup championship and was selected playoff MVP after going 16-7 with a .931 save percentage and 2.01 goals-against average in 24 contests. His performance caught the eye of numerous NHL teams.

As reported by Postmedia, the Edmonton Oilers were one of the teams that were targeting Silovs. With their goaltending situation uncertain, many were not surprised that they were looking to make a trade.

But the Canucks were not interested in trading Silovs within the Pacific Division, which ruled Edmonton out as a partner.

'The Oilers had active interest in Artus Silovs in Vancouver. But I am made to understand that the Canucks flat-out refused to deal him to Edmonton. At any price. That is a tough one for Stan Bowman to overcome. It takes two to tango.'
- Kurt Leavins

That was a precursor to the Penguins, who were then able to bring aboard one of the top young goalies available. While Pittsburgh is rebuilding, Silovs could be a long-term solution in net.

And as for the Oilers, general manager Stan Bowman will probably keep seeking goaltending help before training camp begins.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Blackhawks may have three healthy NHL goaltenders come to camp, which might present Bowman with a trade option down the road, per NHL analyst Greg Boysen.

Ultimately, the Silovs trade illustrates the value put on youth, high-ceiling goaltenders, and how much of a horse race the market can be when one becomes available.

This article first appeared on Hockey Latest and was syndicated with permission.

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