Canucks trade Nilsson, Archibald to Senators in exchange for McKenna, Pyatt
Posted January 2, 2019 10:46 am.
Last Updated January 2, 2019 10:56 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The Vancouver Canucks are making some waves on the NHL trade front.
The team has dealt backup goalie Anders Nilsson to Ottawa in a multi-player deal.
Nilsson and forward Darren Archibald have been traded to the Senators in exchange for netminder Mike McKenna, forward Tom Pyatt, and a 2019 sixth-round pick.
With backup Nilsson moved to Ottawa, the Canucks are now in position to bring up highly touted prospect Thatcher Demko from the AHL’s Utica Comets to man the cage along with Jacob Markstrom.
The 23-year-old Demko — who joined the organization as a second-round (36th-overall) pick in 2014 — sports a .909 save percentage and 2.63 goals-against average through 15 games in the AHL this season, after finishing 2017-18 with a sterling .922 save percentage through 46 games.
Nilsson has suited up for 12 games in Vancouver this season, putting up an .895 save percentage in that span. Archibald logged nine games at the NHL level in 2018-19 (posting a goal and an assist), but has been primarily an AHLer this year. He has 16 points to his name through 23 games for AHL Utica.
Veteran McKenna, 35, has played 10 games for Ottawa this season, posting a .897 save percentage during those appearances. Pyatt — who cleared waivers Wednesday, making him eligible for AHL assignment — has two assists through 37 games for the Senators in 2018-19.
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