The Vancouver Canucks have added another piece to their future down the middle. Just days after selecting four centers in the 2025 NHL Draft, the Canucks acquired the signing rights to towering Russian pivot Ilya Safonov from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for future considerations.
Originally selected by Chicago in the sixth round of the 2021 NHL Draft, Safonov has yet to make the leap to North America. At 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, the left-shot center has spent the past five seasons with Ak Bars Kazan in the KHL, steadily developing into a reliable two-way presence.
Safonov’s most productive season came in 2022–23, when he posted 19 goals and 18 assists in 64 games. Though his offensive totals dipped in 2024–25 (7 goals, 15 assists in 51 games), his size, defensive acumen, and experience in one of the world’s top professional leagues still make him an intriguing asset.
The 23-year-old is expected to return to Ak Bars for the 2025–26 campaign, meaning Vancouver is likely playing the long game with this acquisition. Given his continued development overseas, Safonov could be a low-risk, high-reward option who bolsters the organization’s center depth once (and if) he makes the jump to the NHL.
In addition to his KHL experience, Safonov also skated for Team Russia at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship, notching two goals in seven games as the team finished fourth.
While the timeline for Safonov’s arrival in Vancouver remains uncertain, the Canucks’ front office is clearly banking on depth and upside at the center position—a strategy that could pay dividends in the years to come.
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