Blackhawks Acquire Mikheyev & Lafferty from the Canucks
The Chicago Blackhawks have announced the acquisition of forwards Ilya Mikheyev, Sam Lafferty, and a 2027 second-round pick from the Vancouver Canucks. In return, the Canucks will receive a 2027 fourth-round pick, and Vancouver will retain 15% of Mikheyev’s salary for the remainder of his contract.
Mikheyev, 29, has two more years on his contract, worth $4.75 million annually, which he signed before the 2022-23 season. During his first season with the Canucks, he posted 13 goals and 28 points in 46 games before an ACL injury sidelined him. However, his performance declined significantly in his second season with the team. The Omsk, Russia native has accumulated 131 points (60 goals, 71 assists) in 270 regular-season games with Toronto and Vancouver. Mikheyev has also appeared in four Stanley Cup Playoff campaigns, registering four points (2 goals, 2 assists) in 30 postseason games.
Lafferty, 29, had his most productive season playing primarily on the Canucks’ fourth line, scoring 13 goals and 11 assists for a total of 24 points in 79 games. As a pending unrestricted free agent, Lafferty was previously traded to the Blackhawks in 2022 for Alexander Nylander. During the 2022-23 NHL season, Lafferty, while having a breakout season, was traded by the rebuilding Blackhawks to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Canucks, after securing Teddy Blueger, are now focusing on creating cap space to re-sign seven pending free agents, including Nikita Zadorov, Dakota Joshua, and Elias Lindholm.
As they approach the 2024 NHL Draft, the Blackhawks hold the No. 2 and No. 18 overall picks, along with several picks in the second, third, and later rounds. General Manager Kyle Davidson, along with Director of Amateur Scouting Mike Doneghey and their team, are confident in their strategy for the upcoming draft — the third since Davidson took over as GM. The Blackhawks have opportunities to set themselves up for future success, while the Canucks continue to build on their achievements from the 2023-24 season.
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