Canucks are considering releasing top-6 forward
With the NHL off-season gearing up, the Vancouver Canucks are proactively addressing their salary cap issues by attempting to move forward Ilya Mikheyev, who hasn't lived up to expectations under his current hefty contract.
This strategy emerges as teams prepare for the draft, looking to shed cumbersome contracts that could hinder their playoff aspirations.
Vancouver's Contract Conundrum: A Fresh Start for Mikheyev?
The Canucks' management is keen to resolve what many see as a burdensome contract by trading Mikheyev, who has underperformed relative to his annual salary of $4.75 million, which extends over the next two seasons. Despite a lackluster performance, scoring only 31 points in 78 games this past season and failing to score in 11 playoff games, there seems to be market interest for Mikheyev.
The sentiment within the organization and among fans is that Mikheyev's time in Vancouver could come to an end soon, especially given the financial flexibility his departure would provide.
The narrative of Mikheyev's stint with the Canucks is not without complications. Originally suffering an ACL tear in the 2022-23 preseason, Mikheyev was rushed back into play, which led to further aggravation of the injury. This management decision has arguably marred his tenure with the team and might have even derailed his career trajectory.
As trade discussions continue, there's a prevailing hope that Mikheyev can revitalize his career with a new team. For the team acquiring him, the challenge will be justifying his significant contract, a task that may require him to significantly improve his on-ice contributions.
The Canucks may need to sweeten the deal by adding an asset to facilitate the trade, underscoring the complexity of navigating such high-stakes player movements in the NHL.
This situation exemplifies the intricate dance of player contracts and team strategies in the NHL, particularly as the draft approaches and teams reassess their rosters for the upcoming season. The outcome of this potential trade could have far-reaching implications not just for Mikheyev and the Canucks, but also for the dynamics of the trading team's roster.
| POLL | ||
Did the Canucks make a mistake with Mikheyev's management? | ||
| Yes, they contributed to his poor performance | 28 | 47.5 % |
| No, he was always going to regress | 31 | 52.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
