Report: Blackhawks make UFA Ilya Mikheyev’s negotiating rights available for trade

A former prospect could be on his way to finding a new home before July 1.

In Monday’s edition of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported that the Chicago Blackhawks have made pending unrestricted free agent forward Ilya Mikheyev’s signing rights available for trade.

Mikheyev is nearing the end of his four-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks, which he signed in July 2022. The cap hit of the deal is $4.75 million. The Russian winger signed the sizeable contract after a promising start to his NHL career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he proved to be a solid secondary scorer on a team filled with stars such as Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Mitch Marner and William Nylander. This, despite Mikheyev playing a depth role for most of his three seasons with the club.

While the Omsk native has been steadily consistent throughout his NHL tenure, posting 30 points in four of the past five seasons, it’s hardly anywhere near the potential of a player making nearly $5 million. After just two seasons in Vancouver, Mikheyev was dealt to the Blackhawks, along with Sam Lafferty, for a pair of draft picks. On a rather rough Chicago team, he has been a solid scorer, posting 20 goals for the second time in his career last season, before notching a career-high 36 points during the 2025-26 campaign.

With Mikheyev being a pending UFA, the return in a trade might be miniscule. However, general manager Kyle Davidson realizes getting something for the 31-year-old is better than nothing, which he would get if Mikheyev reaches the beginning of July without a new deal.

In 427 regular-season games in the NHL, Mikheyev has posted 98 goals and 103 assists for 201 points, with another four points in 30 Stanley Cup Playoff appearances.