NHL Crackdown Begins: Blackhawks Flagged After Mikheyev Memo Situation

They put it out there that his rights would be available. However, that’s the limit they were supposed to go. By allowing Mikheyev to speak with other teams while still under contract, Chicago appeared to be giving him the chance to explore better offers — with the possibility of returning to the Blackhawks if nothing superior materialized. The NHL has made it clear that this practice crosses the line.

What’s interesting is where the NHL draws a line. A pending UFA can’t speak to teams, but agents and players have been given the right to seek a trade before. The league doesn’t seem to make much of a fuss when players negotiate and seek their own trades if the front office formally authorizes their agent to speak with other teams.

Still, this was an issue and the league’s memo serves as both a warning to Chicago and a broader clarification for all general managers. With free agency approaching, the NHL wants to prevent teams from using creative loopholes to help their pending UFAs secure maximum value while still retaining some control. The league would like to bring back the interview grace period, but the Players Association isn’t a fan.

Will Someone Trade For Mikheyev or Just Wait Until July 1?

Mikheyev, who signed a two-year, $9.5 million deal with Chicago in 2024, has been a solid middle-six contributor but has dealt with inconsistency and injuries in recent seasons. His rights are expected to attract interest from teams seeking veteran depth on the wing. Then again, teams might just wait and make a pitch for him on July 1, leaving the Blackhawks with nothing.

The Blackhawks have not publicly commented on the memo, but the league’s intervention could limit Chicago’s flexibility in trading Mikheyev’s rights. It also puts other teams on notice that any similar pre-trade discussions with pending UFAs will be closely monitored.