Lightning Sign Forward Ilya Mikheyev to Four-Year Deal

The Tampa Bay Lightning signed forward Ilya Mikheyev to a four-year contract with an average annual value of $3.85 million against the NHL salary cap. Mikheyev, 31, previously played for the Chicago Blackhawks and entered unrestricted free agency for the first time this summer. His prior contract carried a $4.75 million average annual value over four years.

The Blackhawks had offered him a shorter deal near the trade deadline, which he rejected. In the 2025-26 season Mikheyev recorded 18 goals and 36 points in 77 games while averaging 17 minutes and 25 seconds of ice time per game, primarily on Chicago's third line alongside Ryan Donato and Anton Frondell.

A two-time 20-goal scorer, he began his NHL career with the Toronto Maple Leafs and reached a single-season high of 21 goals in 2021-22.

A native of Omsk, Russia, Mikheyev represented Team Russia at the 2018 IIHF World Championships in Denmark, where he recorded one goal and four points. He enters the 2026-27 season two goals short of 100 for his NHL career. The Lightning also signed forward Jeffrey Viel to a five-year free-agent contract.