Ilya Safonov Explains Why He Chose Canucks: ‘Now Or Never’
Vancouver Canucks newcomer Ilya Safonov was one of the most notable players in the KHL last season. The 25-year-old forward signed a one-year contract with the club in early June.
Safonov will earn $950,000 at the NHL level, including a $100,000 signing bonus. His salary in the AHL will be $87,500.
“This has always been my dream. I wanted to train with the best, play against the best and alongside the best,” Safonov said in an exclusive interview with R.org.
“That does not mean the KHL is a weak league, but the NHL is another level. I am simply interested in testing myself and seeing how I will perform there. It is purely a sporting challenge for me.”
Why Safonov Did Not Leave a Year Earlier
Safonov recorded 33 points, including 16 goals and 17 assists, in 68 regular-season games for Ak Bars Kazan during the 2025-26 KHL campaign. He added two goals and seven assists in 20 playoff appearances.
Ak Bars reached the Gagarin Cup Final but lost the series 4-2.
The Chicago Blackhawks selected Safonov with the 172nd overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. Last year, Chicago traded his rights to Vancouver.
By the time the trade was completed, Safonov had already extended his contract with Ak Bars for another season. However, he still attended the Canucks’ development camp last summer.
“At the time, my NHL rights belonged to another team, and for a long time there was no clear understanding of what would happen next,” Safonov said.
“Vancouver eventually acquired my rights, but I had already signed a new contract with Ak Bars by then. I did not want to wait until August and live with that uncertainty, so I decided to spend one more season in the KHL.
“At the same time, Vancouver and I agreed that I could attend their development camp and see everything for myself.
“Chicago was actively trying to bring me over several years ago, but I was under contract in Russia at the time. When that contract expired, there was no longer anything specific. They basically said, ‘Come over and we will see.’
“I have a family, so I wanted more certainty. That is why I decided to stay in the KHL for another year.”
Before signing with Vancouver, Safonov spoke with former Canucks forward Vasily Podkolzin, who now plays for the Edmonton Oilers.
Safonov and Podkolzin have known each other since childhood. Safonov said he would be happy to see Podkolzin in Vancouver in August, when both players are expected to prepare for the new season.
Safonov confirmed that his contract includes a clause allowing him to return to the KHL. However, he does not plan to use it immediately and is prepared to begin the season in the AHL.
“I am not going there with a guaranteed place in the lineup, and I am not arriving as a star,” he said. “I will have to prove that I belong, and I am ready for that. Based on the conversations we have had, I understand that I will have an opportunity.”
Safonov travelled to Turkey with his family for a holiday in early June, but he has already started preparing for the season by returning to the gym.
He is also recovering from injuries he suffered during the season. A Canucks strength and conditioning coach prepared his offseason training program.
“I spoke with the strength and conditioning coaches from Vancouver’s organization, as well as with my own specialists,” Safonov said.
“We discussed the plan and put together a training program. I will prepare here and work on getting into shape until August. After that, I will fly to Canada.
“Vancouver knows my strengths and weaknesses. I went through testing and completed several physical assessments last year, so they already have all the information they need.”
‘It Is Either Now or Never’
Safonov admitted that his decision to join the Canucks organization was largely motivated by a desire not to miss his opportunity.
“I am at an age where it feels like it is either now or never,” he said. “I do not want to look back later and regret that I never tried.”
The Canucks underwent major changes in their front office this spring. The club replaced its senior management team and coaching staff.
General manager Patrik Allvin was among those who left the organization. He was replaced by Ryan Johnson, who had previously managed Vancouver’s AHL affiliate and worked as an assistant general manager.
The changes created additional uncertainty for Safonov, although he tried not to focus too much on the situation.
“There is a new general manager, a new coaching staff and new ideas,” he said. “However, my agent handled all the negotiations, so I tried not to let it distract me.”
Safonov primarily played center in the KHL, but he is prepared to accept any role with his new team.
“I will play wherever it is best for the team,” he said. “If they need me on the wing, I will play on the wing.”
Safonov is also studying English because he understands that adjusting to a new country and league will be difficult without the language.
“My English is already good enough for basic everyday communication,” he said.
“When I attended the development camp last year, I was honestly shocked at first. It was difficult in the beginning. But then I realized that the language comes back quite quickly when you are constantly surrounded by it.
“I understand most conversations now. If someone speaks to me in English, I will probably understand what they are talking about. Answering is still more difficult. Sometimes it comes out awkwardly, and sometimes it is hard to find the right words. But I am studying and continuing to learn.”
Gagarin Cup Final Defeat Still Hurts
Safonov admitted that losing the Gagarin Cup Final still leaves him with a bitter feeling.
According to the forward, Ak Bars had a difficult season and spent a long time trying to find its best game. However, the team came together during the playoffs and reached a much higher level.
“The Final overshadows everything,” Safonov said. “It still leaves a very negative feeling. I believe we could have played better and could have won.
“To be honest, we defeated ourselves because of our mindset, our preparation and the way we played.”
At the same time, Safonov said he was satisfied with the amount of work he did during the season, although he believes he is capable of producing more offensively.
“Some people evaluate a season only by goals and assists,” he said. “But I know how much work I do on the ice. There are many things that remain unnoticed by the fans and do not appear in the statistics.
“From a team perspective, I am satisfied with my performance.
“As for the points, of course I want more. I probably should produce more as well. I am working on it, analyzing my mistakes and am confident that I can improve.”
Fishing Is Safonov’s Biggest Passion
Safonov becomes particularly enthusiastic when discussing his main hobby: fishing.
“One of my childhood dreams is to travel around the world and fish in many different places,” he said.
“When I was young, I watched a television program about a fisherman who travelled all over the world, including the Amazon, the Nile and other rivers. I really enjoyed it.
“I am a huge fishing fan. I love nature and travelling, and fishing combines both of those things.
“I am already preparing to go fishing in Canada. I have even bought special travel rods that are compact and easy to carry.
“The main thing is to understand the local regulations. Fishing works one way in Russia, but things may be different there because of licences, restrictions and protected areas. I do not want to get into an unpleasant situation.
“But fishing is a major part of my life. Every fishing trip becomes some kind of story. Sometimes the boat gets stuck, sometimes you have to find a new route, and sometimes the plans suddenly change. That is exactly what makes it so enjoyable.”