Just over a month away from the start of the NHL season, the Vancouver Canucks have added some insurance to their goaltending room.

On Thursday morning, Canucks general manager Ryan Johnson announced the club has signed veteran goaltender Chris Driedger to a professional tryout contract. In the same announcement, Johnson made the Sean Finn hire official as an amateur scout.

Driedger, 32, is best remembered for his days with the Florida Panthers in 2019-20 and 2020-21. While serving as Sergei Bobrovsky’s backup, Driedger logged 12 games in 2019-20, but had fantastic numbers with a 7-2-1 record, a 2.05 goals against average and a .938 save percentage. He followed that up with another strong season in 2020-21, where he had a 14-6-3 record with a 2.07 goals against average and a .927 save percentage.

Coming off back-to-back strong seasons as the Panthers’ backup, Driedger cashed in in free agency, earning a three-year, $3.5 million AAV deal with the Seattle Kraken. Over the course of that contract, Driedger suited up in only 29 games for the Kraken, posting a 10-15-1 record, a 2.93 goals against average, and a .900 save percentage.

The Winnipeg, Manitoba native returned to Florida in 2024-25, but did not suit up in a game for the big club. Driedger was later traded to his hometown Winnipeg Jets at the 2025 trade deadline, but did not start in an NHL game that entire year.

Failing to earn a North American contract, Driedger went overseas and spent the year in the KHL. He signed with Traktor Chelyabinsk, where he posted an 8-9-2 record, a 3.05 goals against average and a .897 save percentage.

By bringing in Driedger for a professional tryout, the Canucks now have a goaltending room of Thatcher Demko, Kevin Lankinen, Nikita Tolopilo, and Driedger. The presumed starter, Demko, is still rehabbing from hip surgery he had in January, and his ability for the start of the season has come into question.

This Driedger signing appears to be insurance in case that possibility becomes a reality.