After a 2025 NHL Draft in which they picked four centers, the Vancouver Canucks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks] have acquired yet another. They traded for the rights to Chicago Blackhawks forward Ilya Safonov, with future considerations going the other way. Safonov was picked in the sixth round of the 2021 NHL Draft and had not been signed by the Blackhawks. Safonov, a 6'4 left-shot center, has played with Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL since the 2019-20 season. In total, he has played in 263 games for the team, scoring 49 goals and 46 assists in this span of time. This includes a 19-goal, 18-assist season back in 2022-23. In 2024-25, Safonov scored seven goals and 15 assists in 51 games. He is expected to return to the KHL for the 2025-26 season, meaning he may not suit up for the Canucks in the next year or so. Aside from his time with Ak Bars, Safonov has also represented Russia at the IIHF U20 World Junior Championships. He skated in seven games with his country's team back in the 2020-21 season, scoring two goals in the team's fourth-place effort. Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/]: Canucks Have A Natural Leader In 2025 Draft Pick Braeden Cootes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/latest-news/canucks-have-a-natural-leader-in-2025-draft-pick-braeden-cootes] Vancouver Canucks Select Center Matthew Lansing In Seventh Round Of The 2025 NHL Draft [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/latest-news/vancouver-canucks-select-center-matthew-lansing-in-seventh-round-of-the-2025-nhl-draft] Vancouver Canucks Draft Right Winger Gabe Chiarot In The Sixth-Round Of The 2025 NHL Draft [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/latest-news/vancouver-canucks-draft-right-winger-gabe-chiarot-in-the-sixth-round-of-the-2025-nhl-draft] Safonov joins a group of centers that suddenly ballooned within the span of two days. 2025 NHL Draft selections Braeden Cootes, Kieren Dervin, Wilson Björck, and Matthew Lansing are all centers as well. Ilya Safonov of Ak Bars Kazan. (Photo Credit: @HockeyNewsHub/X) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/8ad92bbd-ebe4-480f-8c6b-368899448236.jpeg] Ilya Safonov of Ak Bars Kazan. (Photo Credit: @HockeyNewsHub/X) Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwr-DfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. The Hockey News [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/278d5f38-f5cd-4163-949c-184809c99e59.jpeg] The Hockey News
