Conflicting reports on Ilya Mikheyev: On his way out of Vancouver?

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Felip Gosselin
May 17, 2024 (4:17 PM)

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Moments before the beginning of game five, Rick Tocchet announced significant line-up changes that sent the $4.5M winger Ilya Mikheyev to the press box.

A full participant in yesterday's practice, Mikheyev skated with the extras, and Tocchet eventually confirmed that he wouldn't participate in game five in Vancouver. The Canucks did quite well; his usual linemate Elias Pettersson seemed energized alongside Nils Hoglander and Elias Lindholm.

At that point, it seemed clear that Pettersson needed new linemates. It also seemed clear that Mikheyev should be given fewer minutes due to his lack of finishing on the team's top lines.

Since he was out of the lineup, conflicting reports have suggested that Mikheyev could be out with an injury rather than being a healthy scratch, despite being a full participant in the team's skate before game five.

I Have been told that Ilya Mikheyev is "banged up" and dealing with something. Considered day-to-day by the #canucks�

After it made the news that the Canucks would be benching their high salaries winger, different

Dhaliwal on Mikheyev said it sounds like his knee has caused problems in the past.

Injury details leaking: Hiding a longer game?

Instead of showing Mikheyev as a healthy scratch, could they be trying to maintain his value and suggesting that he's injured instead? Dhaliwal was one of the first to report his "injury", knowing that he and Dan Milstein (Mikheyev's agent) are close, could he have leaked a report so that it wouldn't affect his trade value?

It would be a bold strategy for Milstein, but it could make a lot of sense if he intends to ask for a trade-out for his client.

On the other hand, Mikheyev has two more years at a $4.5M AAV. Given that he's currently underperforming offensively, he could very much be one of the pieces Allvin tries to move out to retain some of his pending free-agent services.

Mikheyev delivered a subpar production during the regular season and had not yet made his way to the scoresheet in 10 playoff games. With limited money to play with heading into the off-season, it could make sense for Allvin to sacrifice his services.