Ilya Mikheyev asked for a trade

[justashadowof]

This seems to be a new type of policy from Dubas. I suspect he had to draw the line because this isn't the only member of the NHL roster who doesn't like the situation for one reason or another. That's just reality for pro athletes. Pro athletes believe in themselves, they almost never think they're being utilized properly. Let's face it, this becoming public never ends well. I agree with saying no but I'd aggressively shop him early in the season if he's producing. He's obviously not re-signing with the team.

 

[fahad203]

Yes Lou is exactly the type of GM who knows how to separate business from his own personal feelings towards a player.

Also Lou:

Matt Martin, Zach Parise, Leo Komorov, Andy Greene, Travis Zajac...etc

Few of those players are easy to have personal feelings for. Nobody every going to question any of their intent to pay the price
Especially Martin, Greene and Komarov

Martin had scored 5 goals in playoff last year. He was the 2nd in the team in hits. He fought Chara last year and this year. He has earned everything he got so far. Isles have played 40 playoff games last 2 years and he was a prominent reason why along with Komarov. Us Leafs fans cant' bad mouth those players and why they are beloved by their GM

Parise was a super star at one point and Zajac was a very good solider for the Devils. So he should show his loyalty towards them
Mikayev is nothing like those players. He doesn't hit like Martin or Komarov, nor does he pay the price
He certainly doesn't score or has scored like Parise or Zajac

Lou is also the same guy that sent Mogilny to the minors. Lou also loved David Clarkson but he knew when to cut his cords

Dubas is a great guy but he has to learn to play hard ball as well

As for Mikaheyev, likeable person, not likeable hockey player
6'3 skates like the wind. Every D in the league should be terrified of him stealing the puck from you, terrified of his forecheck but none

There's absolutely nothing he brings to the team that's not replaceable. His PK is highly overrated by most of you
If you need a PK specialist get Toby Rieder. He'll cost you less and he actually throws a hit sometimes

Grabner can be head as well for next to nothing. He once scored 30 goals in this league

Dude gets too much love around here

 

[fahad203]

Did his production fall off because Keefe utilized him less from the one season to the next? Or, did Mikheyev see lesser minutes this time around because of that drop in production? Hyman's departure should end up doing wonders for someone's playing time. However, Mikheyev is also going to be in his walk year. While I wouldn't exactly be looking to move him, the reality is that he might not be long for the team.

There's an also a sound argument to be made if Tavares production fell off because of Keefe
Same with Marner

Keefe may not to be the right coach for this group. But that's a different discussion for a different day

 

[justashadowof]

Just wondering, what exactly does Mikheyev think he did last season to warrant more ice time?

 

[fahad203]

Just wondering, what exactly does Mikheyev think he did last season to warrant more ice time?

That one series against the Oilers. He now feels he's Bergeron or Esa Tikannen

 

[Twine Tickler]

Mikheyev should be traded.

We could recover some picks for him. Opens up a spot in the bottom 6. If he has a bad year this year, he's going to walk as he already wants out. If he has a good year, he's going to walk because we won't be able to afford him.

He should be traded by the end of camp. He likely wont be, though.

Ya I agree.

I love what he brings, He plays the right way. I actually think he has way more to give in terms of offense. I would not be surprised if he put up 50+ pts in the right situation. His speed and defensive anticipation is very good. He creates so much from those 2 abilities alone.

I really think it must be very challenging for him being the only Russian on the team. Especially once Barabanov was traded. His English is not that great, and the only person that likely speaks Russian is Nik Antropov. It would be terribly lonely, especially on the road. When you combine that loneliness with the fact that Galchenyuk was instantly getting inserted above him on the depth chart last year, I can totally see where he is coming from. IMO, I think we all see him as an amazing checking line winger, But that had to have pissed him off seeing a newcomer with a similar skillset instantly get more opportunity. Seemed like we tried everyone on the team at 2nd line LW last year, except for soup lol.

But if he is truly unhappy, we have to maintain a good relationship with Dan Milstien. He's been the honey hole for cheap euro talent for us. Seems like we sign or draft 1 player of his every year. It is important to keep his clients happy IMO

 

[Apex Predator]

Let say they promise him top 6 minutes to start I wonder if the lines look like this to start.

ritchie Matthews Nylander
Mikeheyev Tavares Marner
Kerfoot Kampf Kase
Butting speeza simmonds

 

[The CyNick]

Scotty Mac says Mik wants to play in the top 6, maybe he was promised such a roll and it is why he chose Toronto. If he wants out, you gotta move him.

Plus he's useless

 

[fahad203]

Ya I agree.

I love what he brings, He plays the right way. I actually think he has way more to give in terms of offense. I would not be surprised if he put up 50+ pts in the right situation. His speed and defensive anticipation is very good. He creates so much from those 2 abilities alone.

I really think it must be very challenging for him being the only Russian on the team. Especially once Barabanov was traded. His English is not that great, and the only person that likely speaks Russian is Nik Antropov. It would be terribly lonely, especially on the road. When you combine that loneliness with the fact that Galchenyuk was instantly getting inserted above him on the depth chart last year, I can totally see where he is coming from. IMO, I think we all see him as an amazing checking line winger, But that had to have pissed him off seeing a newcomer with a similar skillset get instantly getting more opportunity. Seemed like we tried everyone on the team at 2nd line LW last year, except for soup lol.

But if he is truly unhappy, we have to maintain a good relationship with Dan Milstien. He's been the honey hole for cheap euro talent for us. Seems like we sign or draft 1 player of his every year. It is important to keep his clients happy IMO

Curious to know, what do you believe is the right situation?

I mean he did play with Tavares, Hyman, Joe T and Nylander. I mean does he need to play with McDavid for it to be the right situation?
He was even given PP time

You think lack of English effected him? jees man, clearly you never watched Tomas Kaberle, he still can't speak English and he was an All star D for us
Legend has his Berezin still taking classes. he scored 37 goals for us

Get over this hype train. Some players are just not good despite of having some great tools. Case and point, Illya Mikaheyev

Gally once scored 30 goals in this league and he has proved in the playoffs he still has some hands left. If you got out played by him, that's its on you, not on him

 

[LeafChief]

Let say they promise him top 6 minutes to start I wonder if the lines look like this to start.

ritchie Matthews Nylander
Mikeheyev Tavares Marner
Kerfoot Kampf Kase
Butting speeza simmonds

I mean, I guess he can't be worse than Thornton or Vesey were in the top 6 last year.

He could be very useful on the Tavares line if he found any finish at all. I'm just not convinced he can find that finish as of now.

I hope I'm wrong though.

 

[studebaker17]

He's a plug same as a revolving cast of similar plugs like johnson, Kapi, ect who it seems they just never reach what we hope. He's not much of a difference maker anywhere on the ice . Before the injury it looked like he'd be a Hyman clone . Hard on the forecheck with ok hands enough to score but not exactly physical . He's taken a step back on all aspects from then, not just the scoring so not sure we can just assume it's the injury alone. If he expects to have a bigger role he needs to be that Hyman type and make it miserable for the opposing teams defense by pressuring them.
All that said , he wants out then trade his ass , don't need players not happy here.

 

[Throw More Waffles]

What teams have worse lw depth than the leafs? Where exactly does he think he's going to get top 6 minutes and pp time?

 

[ULF_55]

All players should do what is best for themselves, otherwise they won't be best for their team.

Doesn't matter if a 4th. liner or a 1st. liner, not a big deal.

 

[Once]

I like his speed and some of his defensive play but thats it. Dude is quite large and doesn't use it whatsoever, couldn't score a goal if the net was lake superior.

 

[Mugzy97]

Dubas is right to keep him. Our LW depth is a huge question mark. We don't really have a top 6 LW in our whole organization so it's wide open.

 

[Carltons Cup]

I guess Soups' endorsement deal expired and wants new scenery to eat Soup somewhere else...

 

[tmlms13]

Leafs convince a lot of undrafted European FAs to come over. Can't remember that scout's name. Probably with promises of Top 6 or Top 4 roles. Still haven't hit that home run yet. And if word starts circulating that they aren't getting roles promised to them we're going to lose that connection.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Leafs convince a lot of undrafted European FAs to come over. Can't remember that scout's name. Probably with promises of Top 6 or Top 4 roles. Still haven't hit that home run yet. And if word starts circulating that they aren't getting roles promised to them we're going to lose that connection.

Zaitsev - not a top 4 D
Mikhayev - Middle 6 maybe prior to wrist injury, since then...bottom 6
Ozhiganov - Barely 7th D calibre
Lehtonen - Not sure if even NHL calibre
Barabnov - Maybe looked like bottom 6 here but connected in San Jose so maybe we missed out.

Even NCAA is hard to hit home runs on, we hit one of the few home runs with Tyler Bozak but reality is you want top 4 D or top 6 F, you have to draft them.

Panarin is like 1 in a million.

 

[LeafSteel]

Bad enough to be in the hospital with a serious injury. But then Dubas won't go away either...

Legit lol’d at this…..

Well played…….

 

[tmlms13]

Zaitsev - not a top 4 D
Mikhayev - Middle 6 maybe prior to wrist injury, since then...bottom 6
Ozhiganov - Barely 7th D calibre
Lehtonen - Not sure if even NHL calibre
Barabnov - Maybe looked like bottom 6 here but connected in San Jose so maybe we missed out.

Even NCAA is hard to hit home runs on, we hit one of the few home runs with Tyler Bozak but reality is you want top 4 D or top 6 F, you have to draft them.

Panarin is like 1 in a million.

But how many did the leafs Euro scouts look at them in the eyes and say, you can be a top 6/top 4 so pick Toronto..... If you don't get an At Bat you're not going to get a hit. I'm sure those guys all talk, how long until it gets around and they can't get anyone to even sign with the Leafs.

 

[WTFMAN99]

But how many did the leafs Euro scouts look at them in the eyes and say, you can be a top 6/top 4 so pick Toronto..... If you don't get an At Bat you're not going to get a hit. I'm sure those guys all talk, how long until it gets around and they can't get anyone to even sign with the Leafs.

Oh well, 30 other teams didn't get to sign Lehtonen and they're no worse off for it. Use draft picks and develop your own guys.

 

[hockeyes]

What an ungrateful guy. Gets a big name sponsorship as a nobody simply for being on the Leafs, mails in an entire season, then asks for a trade? I'd be tempted to just press box his ass for the full year and tell him to take a hike.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

No one knows what Babs promised him and his agent .. new coach means a different gig .. but are you really surprised .. dude wants a solid contract in NHL and knows to get it he must be on top 2 lines and get points to achieve it .. team realizes if they move him up and he gets those points he will get paid .. don't forget he is a UFA and needs points to get his $$$ .. given Leafs CAP situation he is in a bad spot .. so request exit via trade to a team who will insert him on top 2 lines .. there is nothing here that should surprise anyone .. these guys are all looking to get paid in limited number of years they have .. i could not care less for da guy but it is pro life

 

[I am Canadian]

Not a big fan of this one - he's had plenty of opportunities on the Leafs to produce.

Keep him for the speed and Pking and hope he figures it out.

 

[Twine Tickler]

Curious to know, what do you believe is the right situation?

I mean he did play with Tavares, Hyman, Joe T and Nylander. I mean does he need to play with McDavid for it to be the right situation?
He was even given PP time

You think lack of English effected him? jees man, clearly you never watched Tomas Kaberle, he still can't speak English and he was an All star D for us
Legend has his Berezin still taking classes. he scored 37 goals for us

Get over this hype train. Some players are just not good despite of having some great tools. Case and point, Illya Mikaheyev

Gally once scored 30 goals in this league and he has proved in the playoffs he still has some hands left. If you got out played by him, that's its on you, not on him

Micheyev was pacing out to be a 48pt player in his rookie year over an 82 game season. He was up and down the lineup that year, but was given a healthy look on the Tavares line at one point. But lets talk the most recent year, as there was a major injury that occurred in his rookie year that hindered his abilities.

Last year he was 6th on the team in total HDCF all while being tasked with a defensive role.

He averaged 14:12 TOI last year, of which he averaged 1:35 on the penalty kill, and only averaged 0:08 seconds of PP time/60. He clearly knows how to generate chances, with the little time he does get.

But let's just see what Linemate's Ilya was playing with, because you have suggested he did in fact get a good look with the big boys last year.

Ilya - JT - Willy:

Ilya without JT and Willy
:

so ya, he was largely cemented in a defensive role, with about 12:30 in 5v5 ice, the rest being down a man. All while still producing the 6th most HDCF on the team. So do i think there is a better situation where I could see Ilya improve his totals? Ya, I really do.

This is not a hype train. If Ilya produced to the exact same level as last year, which was a statistical outlier, I would be more than happy with that. He is a highly effective player even when the puck isn't going in the net. But if we look at the data that is there, he should be producing at a higher rate. So if a greater opportunity is going to be there, and if we see even a slight increase in scoring efficiency, there really is no reason to believe the contrary.