A Season of Promise and Pitfalls
Nikita Tolopilo began the 2025‑26 season with the Abbotsford Canucks, the AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks, before earning a call‑up to the NHL due to Thatcher Demko’s injury.
He opened with a 3‑3‑1 record and a .910 save percentage, showing early promise that had fans optimistic about his development.
However, a poor performance against the Seattle Kraken marked a turning point; the netminder’s record fell to 3‑8‑1 and his save percentage dropped to .856 in the second half of the campaign.
He finished the season with a 6‑11‑2 record, a 3.61 goals‑against average and an .881 save percentage, numbers that placed him behind several established backups.
Moments of Brilliance Amid Struggles
Tolopilo did flash moments of brilliance, making notable saves against the Montréal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs that highlighted his athleticism and reflexes.
Yet the young goaltender repeatedly struggled with clean straight‑on shots and controlling rebounds, issues that proved costly in high‑shot games.
The Canucks’ defensive scheme, which generated the fourth‑most shots in the league, amplified the pressure on the netminder and contributed to the team’s overall defensive metrics.
Looking Ahead
If he can tighten his fundamentals, improve rebound control and achieve greater consistency, the tools he displayed suggest a viable path to an NHL backup role.