Canucks sign KHL forward to two-way contract

On Tuesday, the Vancouver Canucks made their first move under new GM Ryan Johnson since he took over the role in May, signing forward Ilya Safonov to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2026-27 season.

Safonov arrives after spending his entire professional career with Ak Bars Kazan of the Kontinental Hockey League. The 25-year-old appeared in 68 regular-season games during the 2025-26 campaign, producing 16 goals and 17 assists for 33 points while posting a plus-18 rating and 43 penalty minutes. His 16 goals ranked sixth on the club, while his plus-18 rating was fourth-best among Ak Bars skaters.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound forward also played a crucial role in the postseason. He recorded two goals and seven assists for nine points in 20 playoff games as Ak Bars advanced to the Gagarin Cup Final. The club ultimately fell to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in six games.

Over 331 career KHL regular-season contests, all with Ak Bars Kazan, Safonov accumulated 65 goals and 63 assists for 128 points. He also racked up 129 penalty minutes and a plus-68 rating. In 79 career playoff appearances, he contributed 10 goals and 16 assists for 26 points with a plus-22 rating.

Safonov was originally selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the sixth round of the 2021 NHL Draft, going 172nd overall. Although he never signed with Chicago, the Blackhawks traded his NHL rights to Vancouver on June 28, 2025, in exchange for future considerations. He later attended the Canucks’ development camp before returning to Russia for another KHL season.

Safonov’s deal carries an NHL salary of $850,000, an AHL salary of $87,500, and includes a $100,000 signing bonus, according to PuckPedia.

The Russian forward has also represented his country internationally, appearing at the 2017 Under-17 Hockey Challenge and the 2021 World Junior Championship.

After reports surfaced following the KHL season that Safonov was interested in pursuing an NHL opportunity, Vancouver has now officially brought him into the organization. The signing gives the Canucks another experienced option down the middle as Safonov prepares for his first season in North America.