Chicago Blackhawks and Vancouver Canucks complete a trade involving a 24-year old forward
Photo credit: Chicago Hockey Now
Today Kyle Davidson and the Chicago Blackhawks completed a trade that sent prospect, and Ak Bars Kazan forward Ilya Safonov’s rights to the Vancouver Canucks.
The Chicago Blackhawks had a wildly successful NHL draft as they have continued to fill the prospect pipeline with some of the best players available.
One of them was center from Djurgarden IF in the SHL-1, Anton Frondell, who has earned comparisons to Sasha Barkov.
As new prospects arrive in the system, they’ll need to make room for them when they do turn pro. Unfortunately, that means the old guard and other players who haven’t made the jump to the AHL will have to find a new home, by trade or negotiation, if they haven’t received a qualifying offer.
That was the reality of KHL center, Ilya Safonov, who plays in Russia for Ak Bars Kazan. Safonov was originally a Stan Bowman draft pick, 172nd overall in the 6th-round of the 2021 NHL Draft.
Kyle Davidson would send him to the Vancouver Canucks for future considerations.
Unlike other KHLers who are in a rush to make the jump to the NHL, Safonov has played the last 4 seasons with Ak Bars Kazan and hasn’t prioritized a time to turn professional. He hasn’t signed an ELC with the Blackhawks either.
This could give the 24-year-old Russian forward a chance to continue his future NHL journey with a new team and a new city.
The Ak Bars Kazan forward has scored a total of 22 points (7-15) in 51 games with the KHL squad.
Safonov has played the majority of his professional hockey career with the same team, a total of 236 games, and 95 points (49-46).
While the Blackhawks received nothing in return but “future considerations”, a guy whose name hasn’t been thrown around a lot lately compared to past years, it’s not as if he was in a rush to join the organization.
Previously on HawksInsider
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