What can the Lightning expect from newcomer Ilya Mikheyev?
The 2026-27 season is almost here for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Due to this, we here at The Hockey News Lightning are starting a player preview series that will look at each Bolts player.
In this latest edition of the series, let's take a look at forward Ilya Mikheyev.
Ilya Mikheyev Has The Potential To Be A Very Good Addition For The Lightning
During the summer, the Lightning signed Mikheyev to a four-year, $15.4 million contract in free agency. This has the potential to be a very good move for the Lightning, as Mikheyev is an impactful two-way forward who chips in offensively and works very well on the penalty kill.
Mikheyev showed exactly that over each of his last two seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks. In 77 games last season for Chicago, he scored 18 goals and set a career high with 36 points. This was after he posted 20 goals and 34 points in 80 games with Chicago in 2024-25.
With numbers like these, Mikheyev has shown that he can be a solid top-nine forward in the NHL. Now, he will be aiming to do the same with the Lightning as they aim to keep their Stanley Cup window open.
