The Chicago Blackhawks make a big trade with Vancouver Canucks

According to Frank Seravalli, the Chicago Blackhawks and Vancouver Canucks have agreed to a trade that brings two quality wingers to the Windy City. The Canucks are sending Ilya Mikheyev, a second-round pick, and negotiation rights to Sam Lafferty in exchange for a fourth-round pick.

The deal took time to complete because Mikheyev had to waive his no-movement clause.

Mikheyev is a 29-year-old winger who tallied 11 goals and 31 points in 78 games last season. He has two years remaining on his deal with an AAV of $4.75 million. Lafferty, who previously played for the Blackhawks from 2022 to 2023, notched 13 goals and 24 points in 79 contests this past season. It looks like the Hawks will get a 2025 second-round choice as a sweetener to take on Mikheyev's deal.

This trade is a massive victory for GM Kyle Davidson.

He weaponized his nearly $33 million in cap space to add two solid forwards to his roster along with a prime draft pick for essentially nothing. This is not the first time Davidson has picked up an expendable Canuck for pennies on the dollar. In 2022, he sent Riley Stillman to Vancouver for Jason Dickinson and a 2024 second-round pick.

That trade was a clear win for Davidson as Dickinson took on a leadership role this season and produced a career-best 22 goals.

Though Mikheyev struggled during his time in Vancouver, he did post 21 goals in just 53 games for Toronto as recently as 2021-2022. He also possesses incredible speed and will have less pressure to produce in Chicago than he did as a Canuck. Lafferty plays a fast and feisty game and was a reliable bottom-sixer during his time with the Hawks. He should be cheap to re-sign if Davidson opts to do so.