Jiri Patera knows the insecurity of a position where you’re as good as your last save, especially as a depth goaltender in the Vancouver Canucks’ priority pecking order, and also being subject to a quick change of scenery.

In a span of less than a week in October of 2024, Patera was claimed off waivers by the Boston Bruins and then reclaimed by the Canucks. He seemed destined for reassignment to the AHL affiliate in Abbotsford because Arturs Silovs and the newly signed Kevin Lankinen were going to shoulder the load while Thatcher Demko rehabbed a knee injury.

Patera was signed before last season to add to the depth pool. Then the Bruins put in a claim.

They were at contract odds with Jeremy Swayman, and when that was resolved, Patera didn’t clear waivers for an AHL assignment because th

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