Chris Driedger is headed to Vancouver on a PTO, giving Manny Malhotra another veteran option in the crease as training camp approaches.
The Vancouver Canucks signed the 32-year-old goaltender to a professional tryout agreement Thursday, putting an experienced NHL option directly into their camp competition.
Driedger spent the 2025-26 season with Traktor Chelyabinsk in the KHL. He appeared in 23 games and finished with an 8-9-2 record.
His numbers overseas included a 3.05 goals-against average and an .897 save percentage. That production doesn't guarantee anything in Vancouver, which is exactly why the PTO setup makes sense.
At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, Driedger brings size and a long professional résumé to camp. He won't arrive as an unknown trying to introduce himself to NHL shooters.
The bigger question is whether Malhotra and the Canucks see enough during camp to turn the tryout into a contract. Vancouver has created another layer of competition without making a long-term commitment.
Chris Driedger gets another NHL opportunity
Driedger has played 67 NHL games between the Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers and Seattle Kraken. His career record at that level is 31-24-5.
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His NHL work has produced a 2.45 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage, numbers that explain why Vancouver is willing to give him another look after a season overseas.
There is plenty of minor-league experience behind him as well. Driedger has appeared in 217 AHL games across six organizations, so the Canucks aren't bringing an inexperienced goalie into a pressure-filled camp battle.
He also has playoff experience in both leagues. His AHL postseason record stands at 12-6 through 18 Calder Cup playoff appearances.
The Canucks also announced the hiring of Sean Finn as an amateur scout, but the immediate roster consequence comes in net. Driedger now has a chance to force Vancouver into a decision.
A PTO guarantees opportunity, not a roster spot. For Driedger, the path is simple: get into camp, stop pucks and make the Canucks think twice before letting an experienced goalie walk.
For Vancouver, there's little downside. The Canucks have added another established option to the crease, and Malhotra gets to see the competition play out before the regular-season roster takes shape.
Should the Canucks sign Chris Driedger after his PTO?
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