Blackhawks Must Re-Sign Ilya Mikheyev – Hockey Writers – Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks have their hands full in re-signing Connor Bedard, whether it’s to a long-term or short-term contract. The Blackhawks have another important task, however, and that is to extend the contract of Ilya Mikheyev.

Mikheyev’s contributions

Mikheyev was one of the few standout players in the Blackhawks’ struggling season, which saw them finish second to last. He was a reliable striker and could be inserted anywhere in the lineup and perform at a high level. Mikheyev, 31 years old (he will be 32 when next season starts), in a contract year, played the right way at the right time. He tallied 18 goals and 18 assists, adding 36 points, across 77 games while averaging 17:25 of ice time per contest in the 2025-26 season. In 2024-25, Mikheyev scored 34 points, so he kept his pace.

Not only has he been impressive in terms of scoring, but he has also been a leader in penalty killing. His speed, high motor, and overall effort were evident on the ice and he was a major contributor to the Blackhawks finishing the season with the second best penalty kill in the league (starting until the trade deadline). Mikheyev also generated many offensive opportunities on the penalty kill, and finished with one goal and three points on the PK. He connected with rookie sensation and 2025 third-round pick Anton Frondell, too, who also connected on Mikheyev’s 14th and 15th goals of the season (Frondell’s first point, too). The two had a lot of chemistry.

Mikheyev needed a change of scenery and waived his no-trade clause to be traded by the Vancouver Canucks to Chicago, along with Sam Lafferty and a fourth-round pick, for a 2027 second-round pick. It was also meant to be a salary dump from the Canucks’ point of view, trying to get his $4.75 million off their books. Chicago, with all the cap space in the world and still needing to get to the top, took him. It ended up working out well for the Blackhawks.

Where The Blackhawks And Mikheyev Stand Right Now

Unfortunately, it appears that the Blackhawks and Mikheyev are very far apart right now when it comes to his next deal. There were reports from Elliotte Friedman that the Blackhawks have made Mikheyev available in the NHL Draft to trade his rights.

It is unlikely that the issue was about money; The Blackhawks need to work really hard, whether through trade, taking short-term cap space, or free agency, to get to the top before the 2026-27 season starts in October. The problem is in the term.

Mikheyev will be 32 years old when next season starts. Since the Blackhawks have the youngest team in the league to turn over a new leaf, they don’t fit that rule. Chicago can have three years, and Mikheyev can have five years – however, without the numbers, it may be the fact that the Blackhawks are on a short-term contract and Mikheyev wants a long term, and it makes sense for both parties.

Mikheyev will seek a long-term deal for more security and more money. You go up there in years; how long has he been doing this? He will want his time and money secured, especially after the last few years with the Hawks. He’ll likely get around $5 million a year on his next contract, but that would be a new salary for a third-line player with a cap that rises significantly over the next few seasons. Even from this season to next season, it has increased by $8.5 million.

The Blackhawks should try their best to bring Mikheyev back, as he is a talented and versatile veteran, do-it-all forward. His impact will be missed when he leaves the Windy City; it can be a bigger loss than many think.