NHL trade rumors: Chicago Blackhawks' Ilya Mikheyev emerging as surprise NHL deadline candidate

The Chicago Blackhawks may be getting ready to shake things up again in the lead-up to the NHL trade deadline, and one player emerging as a surprise candidate in trade rumors is Ilya Mikheyev.

The Chicago Blackhawks have been at or near the bottom of the league standings all season and have been in rebuild mode but still have a chance to grab one of the top picks in the upcoming draft.However, with the trade deadline looming, the team may look to trade some veterans to bring in some younger players to help with the rebuild. According to trade rumors out of The Athletic with reporter Scott Powers, one player that may be moved if the right deal comes along is Ilya Mikheyev.

The team may be willing to listen to offers for the player but would need to be compensated adequately in return.

Chicago Blackhawks balance rebuild strategy as Ilya Mikheyev’s contract nears expiration

Ilya Mikheyev has been a quiet contributor for the Chicago Blackhawks since joining the team before the previous season. He has accumulated 57 points, consisting of 31 goals and 26 assists, in 136 games with the Blackhawks, all on the right wing, and has a positive plus/minus.Mikheyev is in the final season of a four-year, $19 million contract that he originally signed with the Vancouver Canucks.

He is a classic rental asset heading into the trade deadline, a veteran winger that can give a contender’s secondary forwards a boost without a significant commitment.While there is a lot of speculation surrounding a trade, there is a possibility that Mikheyev returns to the Blackhawks. There have been some contract extension talks between the two, although it is said that Mikheyev has turned down the latest contract offer from the Blackhawks.

Recently, the team traded defenseman Connor Murphy to the Edmonton Oilers in a notable trade.

Mikheyev could prove to be an attractive option for teams looking to add depth, scoring, and speed on the wing in the final hours before the trade deadline. His ability to contribute to a team in a responsible two-way capacity makes him an attractive option for teams looking to add depth to their second or third line.As the trade deadline draws near for the Blackhawks, a decision is needed on whether to trade a productive veteran player for a trade asset or keep a reliable contributor on a team that is in a state of flux.