Wed, Jun 26, 2024 at 10:50pm

MIKHEYEV, LAFFERTY MOVED TO CHICAGO

The Chicago Blackhawks acquired winger Ilya Mikheyev, forward Sam Lafferty and a second-round draft pick in 2027 from the Vancouver Canucks for a fourth-round draft pick in 2027.

What does it give the Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks are helping Vancouver's cap situation with this trade, but at least they were able to get Lafferty's rights (UFA on July 1) and a second-rounder in '27 to take on Mikheyev's bloated contract. Vancouver will also retain 15 percent of his contract. Chicago has a few days to negotiate a new deal with Lafferty, who was a member of the Blackhawks not long ago.

What does it give the Vancouver Canucks
For the Canucks, this trade is all about cap space. Getting back a fourth-rounder is nice, since they had to surrender a second-rounder in the same year ('27) in this deal. Vancouver will try to sign a big name on July 1, and have been linked to winger Jake Guentzel. Also, they are still trying to re-sign defenseman Nikita Zadorov, and might circle back to pending UFA Elias Lindholm.

Fantasy impact
There is no fantasy impact here, as Mikheyev and Lafferty will probably play depth roles in Chicago this season (assuming Lafferty re-signs on July 1 or before).