NHL
Vancouver Canucks

Canucks’ sign KHL forward Safonov to one-year, two-way deal

By
TSN.ca Staff

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The Vancouver Canucks signed forward Ilya Safonov to a one-year, two-way contract, the team announced on Tuesday.

Safonov, 25, played last season with Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL last season, recording 16 goals and 33 points with 43 penalty minutes and a plus-18 rating.

He added two goals and nine points in 20 postseason games, helping his team to the Gagarin Cup Final.

“Ilya had a solid year in Russia and a strong playoff,” said brand new general manager Ryan Johnson in a statement. “We like his size and player profile, and he will be given every opportunity to compete for a spot at training camp.”

The 6-foot-4 centre was originally drafted 172nd overall in the 2021 draft but never signed his entry-level contract.

Safanov played parts of seven seasons in the KHL, all with AK Bars Kazan, recording 65 goals and 128 points in 331 career games.

Vancouver finished last season with the worst record in the NHL at 25-49-8 and are selecting third at the 2026 NHL Draft at the end of June.