said about Ilya Safonov last June<\/a>.<\/p>\nVancouver Canucks completed trade with Chicago Blackhawks turning out to be a win<\/p>\n
During Saturday’s game against HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk, Canucks prospect Ilya Safonov registered a pair of goals in a 6-1 win, bringing his season total to 17 in 53 contests, two back of his career-high of 19 he set during the 2022-23 campaign.<\/p>\n
Not only did Safonov score twice on Saturday, he’s now up to four goals in his last two games and is heating up at the right time as AK-Bars Kazan now sit in second place in the KHL’s Eastern Conference entering action on Sunday, one point up on Avangard Omsk and ten points back of Metallurg Magnitogorsk for first.<\/p>\n
“Another two goals for Ilya Safonov today, giving him four goals in two games. This man just lives in the blue paint.<\/p>\n
He’s up to 29 points (17 goals, 12 assists) in 53 games. #Canucks” Dave Hall of Canucks Army shared on X.<\/p>\n
Safonov’s sights are set on lifting the Gagarin Cup for the first time in his career, it looks like this might be his last chance to do so as the 24-year-old will become a free agent in the KHL on May 30th and there’s a very good chance that the Vancouver Canucks will ink him to an entry-level contract shortly thereafter.<\/p>\n
The Moscow native will probably come into camp in the fall competing for a bottom-six spot on the opening night roster and while a short stint in the AHL can’t be ruled out, that way he can get adjusted to the North American game, there’s no question he’ll be making his NHL debut with Vancouver before 2026 wraps up.<\/p>\n
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily<\/p>\n
POLL<\/p>\n
2 HOURS AGO|171 ANSWERS<\/p>\n
Vancouver Canucks completed trade with Chicago Blackhawks proves club might have another offensive weapon<\/p>\n
Do you think the Vancouver Canucks will sign Ilya Safonov at the end of the 2025-26 KHL season?<\/p>\n
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![\"Nov](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/638834.webp.webp\" "\\"Nov")
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