Canucks sign Ilya Mikheyev to four-year deal with $4.75 million AAV

The Vancouver Canucks have signed former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ilya Mikheyev to a four-year contract with an annual average value of $4.75 million.

The Canucks announced the contract via Twitter and Mikheyev’s agent Dan Milstein — who also represents Andrey Kuzmenko and Danila Klimovich — announced the AAV shortly after.

“Ilya will provide a lot of value in our middle six,” said GM Patrik Allvin. “His versatility and ability to do so many different things will be a huge boost to our group. Solid at both ends of the ice, Ilya’s speed is a real difference maker. Not only does he kill penalties, but he also can create offensively as well.”

“He is fast as hell, has one breakaway move that works, but loves to shoot into the goaltender’s chest,” a Leafs media member told CanucksArmy. “He might be able to carve out a career as an average second liner instead of the third liner that he’s primarily played as in Toronto.”

That’s just one person’s opinion, however, as the analytics community seems to really value Mikheyev’s game.

What we do know is that Mikheyev brings a solid two-way game and can serve as a penalty kill specialist. The signing of Curtis Lazar and now Mikheyev shores up the Canucks’ penalty kill for next season.

Mikheyev tallied a career-high 21 goals and 32 points in 53 games played last season with the Leafs.

More to come.