Disappointing Canucks player is headed back to Russia

When the Vancouver Canucks signed Ilya Safonov last summer, he appeared to be a depth piece with a chance to play NHL games.

The 25-year-old had completed six seasons in the KHL, scoring 33 points (16-17-33) in 68 games with Kazan Ak-Bars in 2025-26. He added nine points (2-7-9) in 20 playoff games. While those aren’t prolific numbers, Safonov’s size was intriguing, standing at 6-foot-5 and 222 pounds.

Safonov is headed back to the KHL. (Kazan Ak-Bars)

Safonov failed to make Vancouver’s lineup out of training camp and was cut early. Now it appears he has given up on his NHL dream. Agent Dan Milstein has confirmed that Safonov has left the Abbotsford Canucks and is going home to Russia.

His NHL contract has been terminated.

“Ilya valued his time with the Canucks organization and built strong relationships with the coaching and development staff in Abbotsford,” Milstein said in a statement posted to social media. “While he did not reach his goal of playing in the NHL, he leaves grateful for the opportunity and will always look back on his time in Vancouver fondly. He is returning to the KHL and looks forward to competing against top players from Russia, Canada, the United States and beyond, including former Canuck Evander Kane.”

Kane, who is also a client of Milstein’s, signed with a KHL team based in Siberia earlier in the day.

Safonov scored no goals and recorded four assists in 12 AHL games with Abbotsford this season.

Unlike their parent club, the Abbotsford Canucks have had a good amount of success this season, with eight wins and a shootout loss in 12 games.

The Safonov move comes on the same day the Canucks added a player to the organization, as they picked up defenceman Cameron Crotty off waivers from the Minnesota Wild. Crotty is reporting to Vancouver, while Victor Mancini was sent down to Abbotsford to make room for him.

You might also like:
• Vancouver Canucks acquire defenceman from Minnesota Wild