Is A Bidding War In The Future For Blackhawks UFA Mikheyev?
The Chicago Blackhawks are set to let pending unrestricted free agent Ilya Mikheyev walk.
As the team makes room for the continued promotion of prospects into the NHL, the bottom six, which has been occupied by veterans, will be cleared out, along with their contracts.
Since Mikheyev was unable to reach an agreement for a new contract with general manager Kyle Davidson of the Blackhawks, he'll be able to fetch a raise on the market after his $4.75 million average annual value contract expires.
According to trusted NHL Insider Kevin Weekes, Mikheyev will have plenty of suitors who will need a player who can be trusted on the penalty-kill and contribute offensively on their bottom-six.
His next contract? Weekes believes Mikheyev will be able to ask for $5 M+
Per sources, soon to be UFA F Mikheyev
— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) June 15, 2026
is highly coveted by teams looking to improve their penalty kill and speed, chips in offensively. Seen as a comp to Sherwood, likely garners a mid term contract at 5M+ range. #HockeyX pic.twitter.com/s3QgCyMUGG
Last season with the Blackhawks, he played 77 games and scored 36 points (18 goals, 18 assists) in a top-nine role. Serving in a bottom-six role, but was effective when placed on the same line as Connor Bedard on rare occasions.
With Mikheyev becoming a coveted free agent, and a rising salary cap, he'll be able to cash in and secure a deal with a team that could utilize him down the stretch, in Dec. to Apr. when teams need to be at their best.
The 31-year-old pending UFA has played 427 games in the NHL and has scored 201 points (98 goals, 103 assists) split between the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and Chicago Blackhawks.
Mikheyev was traded to the Blackhawks on June 27th, 2024, and arrived with forward Sam Lafferty and a 2027-2nd round pick attached with both players.
Is now 2026-27 where a contender finds use for the forward who can contribute on both ends of the ice?
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