Canucks sign Chris Driedger to PTO

The Vancouver Canucks made their latest offseason move on Thursday, signing veteran goaltender Chris Driedger to a professional tryout opportunity for the 2026-27 preseason. 

At 32, Driedger last played in the NHL in 2023-24. Split between the Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers and Seattle Kraken, the 6’4” backstop has played 67 career games and holds a .917 save percentage with a 2.45 goals-against average and has given shutouts. In addition to his regular season stats, he has a .871 save percentage in three appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

Despite significant time in the NHL, the Winnipeg native has spent the majority of his professional career in the AHL, where he has played 217 games with Binghamton Senators, Belleville Senators, Springfield Thunderbirds, Coachella Valley Firebirds, Charlotte Checkers, and Manitoba Moose, posting a .910 save percentage for his career in the league. He has an extra 18 games of experience ein the Calder Cup Playoffs, keeping a ,906 save percentage in the AHL’s postseason. 

Last season, Driedger suited up in 23 games with Traktor Chelyabinsk of Russia’s KHL, posting a .897 save percentage and keeping a single shutout, before leaving the team midway through the season. 

In addition to his professional career, he also played for Canada at the 2022 World Championship, earning a silver medal after making six appearances through the tournament. 

Once the 76th overall by the Senators in the third round of the NHL Draft, Dreidger will get the opportunity to battle for a spot on the rebuilding Canucks, who will hold training camp at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton from Sept. 17-20, before the first preseason game on Sept. 19 with a visit to the Seattle Kraken. 

The Canucks will play a six-game preseason schedule before opening the 2026-27 NHL regular season on Sept. 29 with a visit to the Edmonton Oilers, leading into the home opener at Rogers Arena against the same Oilers on Oct. 1 in Vancouver.