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Chicago Blackhawks Trade Young 6'4" Center to Pacific Division Team

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Jack Sutherland | Last updated Jun 28, 2025 7:07 PM ET

The Chicago Blackhawks have traded the contractual rights of 6'4' center Ilya Safonov to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for future considerations.

While there have been a handful of trades during the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, most of them involved draft selections being moved from one club to another.

But now, there has been a second trade today involving more than just picks. The Chicago Blackhawks have traded the rights of 6'4' center Ilya Safonov to the Vancouver Canucks in return for future considerations.

This comes hours after the Detroit Red Wings acquired goaltender John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Petr Mrazek and more picks.

Safonov was originally taken with the 172nd overall pick by the Blackhawks in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

This year, Safonov played for Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL and had 22 points (7G, 15A) in 51 games. Overall, he had 95 points (49G, 46A) in 263 career regular-season KHL games.

His scouting report via Second City Hockey highlights not only his size and physicality but also his hockey IQ.

The first thing typically noticed about Safonov is his size and physicality. At 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, he has a big frame that he knows how to use very well in terms of forechecking and smart hitting, often coming away with possession during any puck battles. Smart is a word that can be applied to most of his game, too, as he sees the ice well, makes good decisions with the puck, and tends to be right place at the right time. He's also a strong and mobile skater with above average puck handling, making him great in transition.

With the 2025 NHL Entry Draft now complete, the Blackhawks will turn their attention to free agency.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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