The Chicago Blackhawks Have an important season ahead. The organization has committed itself to building the design, and an abundance of concept choices is NHL-ready, or about to be NHL-ready. Many young players get the chance to leave their mark this season; Some become everyday players, while many others will make their NHL debut. In the meantime, a small group of veterans will be given the task of helping young people find their way.
In this series on the way to the 2025-26 campaign, we will view an example of every player who is expected to view the schedule, and what their role will be with the team. The spotlight of this edition is ahead Ilya Mikheyev.
Mikheyev by the figures
Set up: Unguated
Position: Right wing/left wing
Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 192 pounds
Age/date of birth: 30 years old (10/10/1994)
Land: Russia
2024-25 Statistics: 20 goals, 14 assists, 34 points in 80 games
Career Statistics: 80 goals, 85 assists, 165 points in 350 games
How he came here
The Blackhawks have a history of non -affected Russian players who work for them. (Do you remember Artemi Panarin?). Heck, they even hope that the free-agent Russian goalkeeper, Stanislav Berezhnoy, who they signed in July, will also have a successful future.
But back to Mikhevey. He was signed with one Annual entry deal through the Toronto Maple Leafs In 2019 from the KHL, after placing 45 points in 62 games for Omsk Avangard (team leader). Fun fact: Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup champion 2013 Viktor Stålberg was his teammate in Omsk.
He performed well in Toronto, with his best season in his last year there in 2021-22, when he scored 32 points in 53 games. In 2019, Auston Matthews said that Mikheyev “plays a lot like Pavel Datsyuk.”
The role of Mikheyev in Toronto was primarily a usefulness, a fine-killing role. Then former head coach Sheldon Keefe Mikheyev’s discussed Longing for a greater rolewhich he would probably not have received there in the long term.
He eventually drew a four-year-old $ 19 million deal with the Vancouver Canucks in July 2022. He spent two seasons in Vancouver, and it was one up and down experience when he dealt with an ACL injury that limited him to 46 games in the season and inconsistency of 2022-13 and in consistency. Although he recorded 31 points in 2023-24, which at the time was one point less than his career high. However, it seemed that neither parties would be the fit they had ever suggested.
That is why the Blackhawks took over him and the rights to Sam Lafferty in June 2024.
Mikheyev’s role in 2025-26
On the Blackhawks, Mikheyev had a career year, played most games in a season (80) and noted a career high in points (34). He was one of their most effective players because of his speed and IQ, making him a fine -killing wizard. His three short-handed goals led the Blackhawks and his plus/min of Plus-4 also led the team. With everything that was considered, he was the typical two -way forward.
Related: Blackhawks 2025-26 Player Previews: Frank Nazar
That is why his role in 2025-26 is probably a significant depth and fine-killing role. He played everywhere in the Line -up last season, and it is assumed that new head coach Jeff Blashill also takes this into account. He also found great success with Teuvo Teräväinen, in which Captain Nick Foligno seriously refers to them as “Sharp. “
The hope would be for Mikheyev to build on the season he had, because if he could replicate the 20 goals, that would be a solid pillow for the team. As he Igor Rabiner told RG Media“We must continue to push and grow like a team. It is a work in progress, but we take steps forward.”
Nevertheless, he should be a factor for the team next season.
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