The Tampa Bay Lightning signed forward Ilya Mikheyev to a four-year contract worth an average annual value of $3.85 million, the team announced July 1, 2026. Vice president and general manager Julien BriseBois announced the signing. Mikheyev played last season with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Mikheyev, 31, appeared in 77 games for the Chicago Blackhawks last season, recording 18 goals and 36 points. He averaged 17:26 in time on ice per game, ranked fourth on Chicago in points and tied for the team lead with a plus-2 rating. He has scored at least 20 goals in a season twice in his career.
Ilya Mikheyev has 427 career NHL games
The Omsk, Russia, native has played 427 career NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs. He has recorded 98 goals and 201 points during his NHL career. The Toronto Maple Leafs signed Mikheyev as a free agent on May 6, 2019.
Mikheyev previously played for Avangard Omsk in the KHL before coming to North America. The Tampa Bay Lightning will add the 31-year-old forward after his season with Chicago.
Source: Original report