Blackhawks Weigh Options on $4M Forward Ahead of Trade Deadline

Ilya Mikheyev could be on the move as Chicago looks to create roster space for younger players.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Chicago Blackhawks are considering trading forward Ilya Mikheyev before the NHL trade deadline on Friday. According to reports, the Blackhawks were hoping to re-sign Mikheyev but those talks have stalled, making a trade more likely. The team is expected to seek a third-round draft pick in return for the 28-year-old winger, who is in the final year of his contract. Mikheyev's current team, the Vancouver Canucks, is already retaining 15% of his $4 million salary, which could make him an attractive trade target for other teams looking to add depth scoring and penalty-killing ability.

Why it matters

The Blackhawks are in a rebuilding phase and need to create roster space for younger players in their system. Trading Mikheyev, a pending unrestricted free agent, could allow them to acquire a draft pick to aid their long-term plans while also clearing salary cap space. For Mikheyev, a trade could provide him an opportunity to join a contending team ahead of free agency this summer.

The details

Mikheyev is a versatile forward who can play up and down the lineup and contribute on the penalty kill. The Canucks are already retaining 15% of his $4 million salary this season, which means the Blackhawks could retain even more of his cap hit to make him more appealing to potential trade partners. Mikheyev is listed on The Athletic's NHL trade board as a player likely to be moved before the deadline.

  • The NHL trade deadline is this Friday, March 4, 2026.

The players

Ilya Mikheyev

A 28-year-old forward for the Chicago Blackhawks who is in the final year of his contract and could be traded before the NHL's trade deadline.

The Chicago Blackhawks

An NHL team currently in a rebuilding phase, looking to create roster space for younger players by potentially trading veteran forward Ilya Mikheyev.

The Vancouver Canucks

Mikheyev's current team, which is already retaining 15% of his $4 million salary this season, making him a more affordable trade target for other teams.

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What they’re saying

“The Blackhawks were hoping to re-sign Mikheyev, but after some discussions, that seems less likely now. If the Blackhawks aren't going to keep him beyond this season, they're open to trading him. There's expected to be some interest. The return probably won't be huge, maybe a third-rounder, but the Blackhawks need to create roster space for more incoming young players.”

— Scott Powers, Reporter (The Athletic)

What’s next

The Blackhawks will have until Friday's trade deadline to find a deal for Mikheyev, with the team likely seeking a third-round draft pick in return.

The takeaway

This potential trade highlights the Blackhawks' focus on rebuilding and creating roster space for younger players, even if it means parting with a versatile veteran like Mikheyev. For the right price, the Blackhawks appear willing to move on from Mikheyev and give him a chance to join a contending team ahead of free agency.