In the NHL, cap space is a significant currency, and the trade between the Detroit Red Wings and the San Jose Sharks brokered, which was a pretty good demonstration of it. They saw Jake Wallman moving from Detroit to San Jose alongside a second-round pick for future considerations (nothing). Recent reports now suggest that the Canucks have come around to the idea of paying to rid themselves of a restraining contract.
Rick Dhaliwal, who's well-connected with Mikheyev's agent, later confirmed that the hold-up was that Mikheyev had not yet waived his No-Trade Clause for the Blackhawks.