What happened: Vancouver Canucks general manager Ryan Johnson announced Wednesday that forward Ilya Safonov has been placed on unconditional waivers for the purpose of contract termination. The transaction clears the way for the mutual termination of his contract once he clears the 24-hour waiver period.

Why it matters: Safonov signed with Vancouver in June 2026, and the termination will free up a roster spot on the organization's 50-player contract list. The move gives the Vancouver Canucks additional roster flexibility as they navigate their regular-season lineup.

What to watch: Safonov will become an unrestricted free agent if he clears waivers without a claim on Thursday. Vancouver will then formally process the termination to finalize his release.