The Vancouver Canucks have successfully reunited with an old friend, reaching an agreement with the Boston Bruins to re-sign experienced veteran goaltender Jiri Patera in a $17 million deal. This move marks an important step for the Canucks as they bolster their goalie depth for the upcoming NHL season.
Patera, 25, who had previously been claimed off waivers by the Bruins, will return to Vancouver to reinforce the team’s goaltending options. After a brief stint away, the Canucks were determined to bring back the skilled netminder, ensuring they could maintain the solid goalie foundation they built during the offseason.
The Canucks were the only team to submit a claim for Patera, which allowed them to send him directly to their AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks. General Manager Patrik Allvin made it official on Monday, assigning Patera to the AHL team, where he will join Belarusian goalie prospect Nikita Tolopilo.
While Patera won’t be on Vancouver’s opening night roster, which already includes three goalies, his presence in Abbotsford is crucial. Meanwhile, newcomer Kevin Lankinen and promising rookie Arturs Silovs will share the crease in Vancouver. The team’s All-Star goaltender, Thatcher Demko, is still recovering from a chronic knee injury and is a few weeks away from returning to game action.
The re-signing of Patera might seem like a minor transaction, but it plays a vital role in the Canucks’ contingency plans. Should anything happen to Lankinen or Silovs, Demko’s absence would leave the team vulnerable, especially after the struggles with injuries they experienced during the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Patera had initially signed a two-year, $1.5 million contract with Vancouver during the NHL free agency period on July 1, solidifying his role as a key part of the Canucks’ future plans. His return provides the team with much-needed stability and depth as they prepare for a challenging season ahead.
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