Blackhawks Moving On From Ilya Mikheyev, Ready to Talk Trade

Chicago Blackhawks pending UFA Ilya Mikheyev

Ilya Mikheyev is set for unrestricted free agency on July 1st, and it sounds like the Chicago Blackhawks have been unable to come to an agreement on extending him. Insider Elliotte Friedman reported Monday morning that the Hawks have made his negotiating rights available for trade.

Friedman reports the Blackhawks have made pending UFA Ilya Mikheyev’s negotiating rights available for trade https://t.co/8OoAivYhmK
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) May 18, 2026

Mikheyev, 31, is coming off a four-year, $19 million contract, with a $4.75M AAV. He posted a solid season with 18 goals and 18 assists for 36 points with a plus/minus rating of +2. He also provided his usual excellent penalty killing, along with his speed and checking ability.

He fills his role nicely, but many believe he's been overpaid on his current deal, and the Hawks obviously have no intention of bringing him back at that kind of money.

Any trade of Mikheyev's rights is unlikely to bring back a huge return for the Blackhawks, but even a late-round pick is better than nothing. An acquiring team would have a six-week head start on other clubs in trying to come up with a deal for the player.

In his seven-year career, Mikheyev has 98 goals and 103 assists for 201 points in 427 games with a +38 rating.

Chicago will now be on the hunt for a new defensively responsible, two-way forward for the middle-six.