The Maple Leafs let Ilya Mikheyev walk once and his market is heating up again

Ilya Mikheyev is looking for a big pay raise and with the Chicago Blackhawks not wanting to pay him, a reunion with the Maple Leafs might be in the cards.

Mikheyev is someone who doesn't get a ton of attention but adds a great dynamic to the lineup. A penalty killing machine who has some pretty good wheels, he'd be a great addition to any team though at 31 years old, he's not exactly a spring chicken.

The Maple Leafs were lucky enough to be the one team chosen by the undrafted Russian, and he put together a couple solid seasons before exploding for 21 goals in 2021-22. But he wasn't re-signed and he instead headed to Vancouver and now finds himself in Chicago with the Blackhawks.

Mikheyev likely headed to free agency on July 1 and the Maple Leafs should look for a reunion

But he's also a pending free agent and reportedly is looking for a decently large increase in pay. With the Blackhawks unable to afford his new price, he's likely headed back to free agency which means he's the perfect player for the Maple Leafs to call upon once again - with Kevin Weekes reporting the news:

Per sources, soon to be UFA F Mikheyev is highly coveted by teams looking to improve their penalty kill and speed, chips in offensively. Seen as a comp to Sherwood, likely garners a mid term contract at 5M+ range.

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Needing to get faster, better defensively, and desperate to get help on the PK, Mikheyev would be a great piece even at 31. He doesn't need to get top-six minutes, and he would fit seamlessly on the third line and could be a great offensive driver there.

Depending on the situation, Mikheyev could have John Tavares as his 3C and hang alongside him and potetntially Nick Robertson or Dakota Joshua.

That gives the third line two defensively sound players and three offensive weapons with the versatility needed depending on the situation (physicality with Joshua, more offence with Robertson).

Toronto's price to pay for Mikheyev isn't that expensive when you look at the optics

If Mikheyev is going to get $5-million per season, that's actually not that much of a price considering how much would balance things out. Tavares and him can run the first unit PK if needed, which takes the burden off Auston Matthews - already worth the price.

But beyond that, you're getting a player who has been capable of scoring 20+ goals while also adding strong defence, incredible discipline, speed, and reliability. You aren't going to get blown away but you are going to get consistency.

Toronto has a fair bit of cap to work with and they could very well have more if they make some deals such as one involving Morgan Rielly and therefore opening up the cap room to nearly $30-million dollars.

That's enough to pay for a better blueline and afford Mikheyev at his desired price, and even if it's for two or three years, he helps you compete now and mentor the younger players coming into the league; especially Russians like Artur Akhtyamov and Alexander Plesovskikh.

Toronto is in need of defensive help, PK help, and getting faster. That's not too tough to do if they sign Mikheyev, but they'll have to act quickly because he'll certainly have his suitors.

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