Blackhawks’ Ilya Mikheyev lands in The Athletic’s top tier of pending UFAs

Ilya Mikheyev is emerging as one of the more desirable pending unrestricted free agents on the NHL market, and his position on a widely watched ranking could intensify summer conversations for both the Chicago Blackhawks and the teams hunting bottom-six help.

Heading into the offseason, The Athletic’s Chris Johnston published a top-50 list of pending UFAs, and Mikheyev was slotted at No. 31. The ranking matters because it functions as a quick reference for general managers assessing who will be available when free agency opens, especially players who fit into a contender’s “impact without needing top-line minutes” tier.

The case for Mikheyev is largely built on production and role specificity. According to the report, the 31-year-old is coming off back-to-back seasons with at least 34 points, and he is also described as a highly impactful penalty killer. That combination is valuable for teams looking for steady scoring depth that can also handle defensive assignments in late-game situations.

The Athletic’s profile of Mikheyev is tied to recent Blackhawks output. He appeared in 77 games this season for Chicago, producing 18 goals and setting a career high with 36 points. The prior year, he recorded 20 goals and 34 points in 80 games. Over two seasons, his ability to contribute offensively while maintaining his roster utility has helped him become more than just a situational forward.

Chicago’s interest in keeping Mikheyev is part of the backdrop to the market value question. The report notes that Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said Chicago has made Mikheyev’s signing rights available for trade. That detail matters because it gives the organization flexibility: it can test whether any team is willing to pay to secure him before his contract status changes, or it can keep the option open to re-sign him after July 1 depending on negotiations.

Still, the same report underscores the uncertainty of how this will play out. If Mikheyev’s offseason testing draws the kind of demand suggested by his recent scoring and penalty-killing reputation, Chicago could face a balancing act between competing offers and the cost of retaining a player who has become a meaningful component of its current group.

For other teams, the watch point is how Mikheyev’s skill set translates in a new system and what kind of role contract structure teams believe they can get for their money. A forward who can score at even strength and consistently impact special teams can narrow a roster’s search for answers in the minutes behind the top lines, which is often where championships are quietly decided.

In Chicago, the question is whether Mikheyev’s presence aligns with the club’s broader timeline. The Blackhawks’ willingness to make his rights available suggests they are at least exploring trade options, but a player with two straight 30-plus point seasons and defensive usefulness can also be difficult to replace without spending draft or development capital. The next few weeks, starting with how free-agency interest is indicated and followed by any trade chatter around his rights, should clarify whether this becomes a homegrown retention story or a market-driven departure.