The Chicago Blackhawks will be facing a summer of questions in 2026. The club got off to a strong start, but just couldn’t sustain the strong momentum they had in the first two months of the year.
Considering the Blackhawks’ commitment to their rebuild, they won’t be cutting any corners. That situation means not trading any draft picks or prospects for high-priced veterans. The club has built a fantastic pipeline of rising stars. So, it seems it would just be a matter of time before the patience begins to pay dividends.
With that in mind, there’s one veteran player who won’t likely be back. That’s Russian winger Ilya Mikheyev.
Mikheyev saw action in the final couple of games this season on the second line with Anton Frondell and Tyler Bertuzzi. But there will be other younger players pushing for playing time. For instance, Oliver Moore will need ice time next season.
Plus, the team also has Andrew Mangiapane on the books for one more season. As such, there won’t be too many open spots for veteran forwards next season.
It’s worth pointing out that Mikeyev hasn’t been bad for the Blackhawks. Since arriving in the 2024-25 season, the undrafted winger scored 20 goals in his first season, and then 18 this past season.
But would keeping Mikheyev be worth paying $4.75 million AAV? Sure, the Blackhawks don’t have cap issues at the moment. But there has to be a point where the club prioritizes smart cap allocation.
Bedard’s Extension Will Determine What Blackhawks Do This Summer
The biggest question on the docket is Connor Bedard’s extension. He’s on track to become an RFA this summer. Since he’s not going anywhere, the Blackhawks will need to figure out his next contract.
Now, the issue isn’t if Bedard will sign. The question will be for how much and for how long. As a result, that decision will determine what the Blackhawks will do insofar as cap allocation and other free-agent contracts.
In short, Mihkeyev could be on his way out unless he’s willing to take a bit of a pay cut. That will be the major sticking point. If Mikheyev is willing to sign a team-friendly deal, he could stay.
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Mikheyev May Bet on Himself with Show-Me Deal
Seeing as the Blackhawks won’t have salary cap issues this season, Mikheyev and the club could figure out a short-term deal. Something like a one-year, show-me deal could allow Mikheyev to land one more multi-year deal. Likely, that deal won’t be with the Blackhawks.
Otherwise, the Blackhawks would do well to part ways with Mikheyev. He’ll be a UFA this summer. Even though he’s been a good fit for the Blackhawks, the club has other, more significant priorities.
The Blackhawks could do a lot worse than bringing back Mikheyev. But the club has gotten to a point where it can’t keep high-priced veterans around anymore. The organization will need to prioritize high-end prospects’ playing. With more coming after the 2026 NHL Draft, some veterans will need to seek opportunities elsewhere.
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