Toronto Maple Leafs: Ilya Mikheyev is Making the Team

It looks like Ilya Mikheyev could be on the Toronto Maple Leafs past training camp.

As the Toronto Maple Leafs got their first pre-season win under their belt, Mike Babcock got a sense of where this team is at and who’s going to make the team.

William Nylander is back to his old-self, Auston Matthews is as good as ever and Rasmus Sandin has played very well so far. Although other players have caught my eye, I want to talk about Ilya Mikheyev’s performance.

He didn’t score, nor did he get a point, but the way he carries the puck and gets around players is incredible. Almost like Pavel Datsyuk, according to Matthews;

"“He plays a lot like Datsyuk. He’s got that reach and he’s kind of got a similar paddle on him, uses a long stick and he’s really lanky. He’s really shifty, strong on the puck, really good on his edges, so I was really impressed, especially that 3rd period”"

Watching him play, it’s almost like he’s played in the NHL before. There were two plays in particular that made me think, “okay, he’s (Mikheyev) made the team.” But, it’s all about what Babcock thinks.

Does Babcock like him?

Of course, Babcock loves Mikheyev. When the Leafs signed him, Babcock looked so proud and excited, which prompted a selfie from the two, and Mikheyev’s agent.

Even though that’s old news, Babcock still has that smile on his face when he talks about him. It’s like Babcock knew all along what he was getting, and he probably did, “as you can see, he can really skate, he’s very intelligent, he’s heavy on the puck, can shoot it and make plays.”

Babcock loves him.

If Mikheyev can make this team, he’ll likely be slotted in on the third line. That could be a third line of Mikheyev, Alexander Kerfoot and Kasperi Kapanen, once Zach Hyman returns. That’s a scary third line, and it would do a lot of damage.

You would have the speed and skill, that Kyle Dubas wants. Then, you’d get the heaviness, that Babcock wants. This could be the perfect fit for both the team, and the management.

Mikheyev still has to get used to the smaller ice, and the timing that comes along with it. But once he gets that figured out, he will be a key addition to this team.

Even though nothing is set in stone, from Babcock’s comments last game, and at the NHL draft, Mikheyev looks to be on the team. If that’s the case, we will have a first, second and third line that will look to dominate this year.