Two Vancouver Canucks prospects will be making their NHL debuts against the San Jose Sharks. Both goaltender Nikita Tolopilo and defenceman Kirill Kudryavtsev will be in the lineup on Monday as the Canucks play their second to last game of the 2024-25 season. Tolopilo is on the roster in place of Thatcher Demko, while Kudryavtsev is expected to take injured Derek Forbort's spot in the lineup.
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Listed at 6'6", 229 lbs, Tolopilo is an undrafted goaltender who has impressed since signing with the organization. This season in the AHL, he has an 18-14-2 record, along with four shutouts. Tolopilo's last start came on April 6, when he made 35 saves in a 4-3 victory over the Laval Rockets.
"I think he's a big goalie, so something there," said Rick Tocchet after practice on Sunday. "I think last year, he knows that the work ethics got to get a little bit higher. He's got to really work on his craft. You're a big goalie. Can he work on his movements? Can he get stronger in his hip areas and core? Can his pushes off the like, these are the things. I'm not a goalie coach, but this is the sort of stuff that you want this guy to work at because he's got the frame. A big goalie that can move, those are the kind of the guys you want. Like a Thatcher Demko, big guy that can move."
As for Kudryavtsev, he was a seventh-round pick by Vancouver back in 2022. The left-shot defenceman is in his first pro season, and has 26 points in 63 games with the Abbotsford Canucks. Once Kudryavtsev steps on the ice, he will become the first player drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft to play in an NHL regular-season game.
"Means a lot," said Kudravtsev after morning skate on Monday. It was a quick phone call yesterday, so really excited. It's my first game. I know it probably doesn't mean much for the standings for the NHL team, but it means a lot for me and for Tolo (Tolopilo)."
The Canucks wrap up their season series with the Sharks on Monday night. Vancouver is 3-0 against their Pacific Division rivals, and will have their eyes on the season sweep. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm PT from Rogers Arena.
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