Overview
- The Vancouver Canucks announced Tuesday that they signed 25-year-old centre Ilya Safonov to a one-year, two-way contract, the first player move under new general manager Ryan Johnson.
- Multiple outlets reported the deal carries an NHL salary around $850,000–$950,000, an AHL salary near $87,500, and a roughly $100,000 signing bonus, though the team did not publish financial terms.
- Safonov arrives from KHL club Ak Bars Kazan after a 2025–26 season with 16 goals and 33 points in 68 regular-season games and nine points in 20 playoff games that helped his team reach the Gagarin Cup Final.
- Scouts and reports describe him as a large, physical centre known for defensive play, leadership and elite faceoff work (about a 56% win rate last season), traits that suit a bottom-six or depth role.
- The Canucks acquired his NHL rights from the Chicago Blackhawks in 2025 for future considerations, and the club expects him to compete for an NHL spot at training camp while likely starting the year with AHL affiliate Abbotsford to stabilize centre depth.