How The Mikheyev Trade Impacts The Canucks Cap Heading Into The 2024 Offseason
The Vancouver Canucks dealt Ilya Mikheyev to the Chicago Blackhawks, clearing up just over $4 million in cap space.
Photo by Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports - How The Mikheyev Trade Impacts The Canucks Cap Heading Into The 2024 OffseasonWith free agency just a few days, the Vancouver Canucks have cleared up more than $4 million in cap space by sending Ilya Mikheyev to the Chicago Blackhawks. While Vancouver did have to give up a 2027 second-round pick, the high price was worth it, as the Canucks now have some space to re-sign their pending free agents while also adding more pieces on July 1. Ultimately, it was a smart move by the organization as not only does it create cap space, but it also opens up a roster spot for next season.
After the trade, Vancouver finds itself with $18.29 million in cap space. Starting with the Canucks own free agents, there are four players that, based on reports, the organization is trying to bring back. Below is a table with the projected contracts according to AVPAnalytics:
If Vancouver does elect to sign all four players to their projected contracts, that would take up just over $12.7 million in cap space for next season. That would leave Vancouver with $5.58 million left to fill out their roster in free agency. While over $5.5 million can go a long way, it is still not enough if the Canucks want to sign a player like Jake Guentzel, who has been rumoured as a target for the last couple of weeks, while also adding more depth to the bottom six.
In the end, the just over $4 million in saved cap space is going to help Vancouver not just this season, but also over the next few years. It should help alleviate some of the pain from the Oliver Ekman-Larsson buyout, which is set to increase to $4.7 million ahead of the 2025 offseason. It will also go a long way in re-signing Brock Boeser, who is expected to receive a raise before becoming a free agent after this season. Based on some of the rumours circulating, GM Patrik Allvin and his management team will be very busy over the next few days as the organization tries to build off one of the most successful seasons in franchise history.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
