Two trade partners emerge for Ilya Mikheyev's services
The Vancouver Canucks project to have just under $27 million to play with this offseason, but they're tasked with managing expiring contracts for nearly half of their playoff roster.
If they want to open up cap space, one player who may need to go is Ilya Mikheyev and his $4.75 million cap hit, and TSN's Frank Corrado said on the Sekeres and Price podcast that it will be tough to move Mikheyev at his current deal - but a few teams could covet his breakneck speed.
Corrado, the former Canuck, pointed to two Metropolitan teams as potential landing spots for the speedy Russian.
Corrado said Mikheyev has been around the league too long for teams to see upside as an offensive threat, but a slow team could see his straight line speed as a low cost asset.
Kyle Dubas, President of the Pittsburgh Penguins, brought Ilya Mikheyev over to the NHL from Russia and seemed to like the player when he was in Toronto, so much so that a reunion could make sense.
The Penguins, however, have a number of questionable contracts on the books and may be looking to unload salary themselves.
The Islanders have a little over $6 million to spend this offseason, and while they may desire a speedster it might be difficult for them to spend so much of their available cap on Mikheyev when goals are the primary need.
Vancouver will not hesitate to move Mikheyev if a deal arises, but it may be easier said than done.
As heard on the Sekeres and Price podcast:
A first-look at the Canucks' off-season decisions in wake of loss to Oilers - Sekeres & Price LIVE
| POLL | ||
MAI 22 | 1943 ANSWERS Two trade partners emerge for Ilya Mikheyev's services Do you think the Canucks can find a new home for Mikheyev without paying to dump him? | ||
| Yes | 1293 | 66.5 % |
| No | 650 | 33.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
