Canucks GM Ryan Johnson announced today that Vancouver has placed forward Ilya Safonov on unconditional waivers for the purpose of contract termination.
The timing lands in the middle of a brutal stretch. The Canucks sit 32nd in the NHL at 3-16-1, and they've lost six straight, most recently 3-1 to the Flyers on Monday.
Safonov is a 25-year-old, 6'4", 205-pound center born in Moscow. The Blackhawks drafted him in the sixth round, 172nd overall, in 2021.
He has never played an NHL game, either this season or over his career. His contract carried a cap hit of under $1 million and was set to run through this season, with restricted free agent rights at expiry.
The announcement as it reached us gives no reason for the termination, and we won't guess at one. Whether another team shows interest while he's on waivers is also unknown.
Earlier this month, we passed along Ryan Johnson's message on the Canucks' rebuild, that this team needs more than draft picks to build around. Cleaning up the contract list fits a general manager who is clearly reshaping the organization.
Does this move change anything for the Canucks right now?
Not on the ice. A player who hasn't appeared in an NHL game isn't the reason Vancouver has scored 56 goals and allowed 90.
That -34 goal differential is the real problem, along with a 1-8-0 home record. The pressure on Johnson and coach Manny Malhotra comes from there, not from the bottom of the contract list.
The more interesting moves will come from the roster that actually plays. Fans have been asking about Filip Hronek and the Blackhawks' draft-pick plans, and a team in this position will have plenty of those conversations.
For now, the Canucks get back to games on Friday against the Rangers, looking to stop the slide at six.
Quick hits
ANAHEIM DUCKS: Nico Myatovic has been reassigned, and Troy Terry is set to be activated for tonight's game against the Predators. Getting a name like Terry back is a real lift.
-
INJURY: The NHL's status report has Noah Hanifin week-to-week with an undisclosed injury, hours before the Golden Knights host Utah. That's a blow on the blue line.
-
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS: Jeff Blashill says Patrick Kane and Bowen Byram are both still day to day, according to Charlie Roumeliotis. No setback, but no answer yet either.
-
GOALIE WATCH: Mike Babcock confirmed this morning that Tristan Jarry starts for the Oilers tonight against the Flyers, according to Jack Michaels.
-
GOALIE PLAN: HabsInHighHeels reports that Jacob Fowler will start for the Canadiens in Boston tomorrow night. Bruins fans will be watching that one closely.
-
This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.
Should the Canucks keep clearing out contracts and commit fully to a rebuild?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Senators confirm Nick Cousin's extend of injury and he won't be back in Ottawa anytime soon
