Vancouver Canucks and Chicago Blackhawks Combine to Complete Trade Involving 24-Year-Old Centerman

It's been quite a busy week for Patrik Allvin and the Vancouver Canucks after acquiring Evander Kane from the Edmonton Oilers and making the decision to keep their 15th overall pick and use it on use it on Braeden Cootes of the Western Hockey League's Seattle Thunderbirds.

Vancouver Canucks President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford promised to fans that the team would be aggressive this summer and they've certainly shown that already, as the club has completed their second trade in the last four days.

One of the biggest needs the Vancouver Canucks had entering this summer was down the middle as their center depth has taken a hit over the last seven months following the trade of J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers and on Tuesday, the expected departure of Pius Suter.

Shortly after the 2025 National Hockey League Entry Draft finished, the Vancouver Canucks were able to complete a trade for some center help and acquired an intriguing player that could make their NHL debut this fall.

In a post on social media, the Vancouver Canucks announced that they've acquired Russian prospect Ilya Safonov from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for future considerations.

Safonov, a native of Moscow, Russia, was a sixth round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks back in 2021 and has spent the five seasons as a full-time players in the KHL with AK Bars Kazan, helping them reach the Gagarin Cup Final in 2022-23.

In 51 games this season with AK Bars Kazan, Safonov registered 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists), 22 penalty minutes and was a plus-22, adding five points in 13 contests during the Gagarin Cup Playoffs.

Back in February, it was reported by RG Media that Ilya Safonov was going to be signing with the Chicago Blackhawks following the 2024-25 season as he was ready to make the jump to the National Hockey League and it appears that will likely still be happening, albeit with the Vancouver Canucks.

Nothing has been made official just yet by the Vancouver Canucks regarding an entry-level contract for Ilya Safonov, but it's highly unlikely that Patrik Allvin and his management group would make this trade on Saturday without getting confirmation that the 24-year-old would be coming to North America in the fall.

Source: Vancouver Canucks
CANUCKS ACQUIRE ILYA SAFONOV FROM CHICAGO