Why It’s Important For Toronto Maple Leafs To Sign Ilya Mikheyev
By Nick Barden
During the pause on the hockey season, there has been some good news that’s come out regarding the Toronto Maple Leafs.
On December 27th, the Toronto Maple Leafs faced the New Jersey Devils in their first game back from the Christmas break.
In that game, Jesper Bratt fell to the ice and his skate came up, which then lacerated Ilya Mikheyev’s wrist. That would put him out of commission for a few months.
To the present day — Mikheyev has fully recovered from his injury and is ready to return to hockey.
His anticipated comeback could come in a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey, or it could not. Which is now a topic that needs to be discussed because of the NHL season being in jeopardy.
When Mikheyev got to Toronto he didn’t know any english and played on a team that didn’t have any Russian players.
That wasn’t on his mind though.
He fought through the language barrier and had an incredible season, posting incredible numbers in his first year in the NHL.
So much went on during the time he spent in a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey. It started with him going in front of the media for the first time and saying his famous line, “I like soup.”
Which eventually got him a sponsorship deal with Campbell’s Soup.
He was even on his way to possibly becoming a 20-goal scorer in his first NHL season, which would have been an incredible feat.
The Toronto Maple Leafs need to sign Mikheyev when the opportunity presents itself.
With everything going on, there’s no presumptive day where the NHL returns, but when that day comes, Mikheyev has to be signed to a contract.
It seems likely that he will stay in Toronto, in my opinion.
Since he does have a soup deal now, plus I’m sure he’s enjoyed his time in Toronto and his teammates, I think he returns in a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey next season.
Although it was unfortunate that Mikheyev was injured, it was sort of a blessing in disguise — in terms of money purposes.
We all know the Toronto Maple Leafs will be tight to the cap, and probably even tighter now with how this year is progressing.
But with Mikheyev not completing his season, we really didn’t see how well he could have done.
If he finished this season, whether or not he was injured, plus if you account the playoffs, he could’ve had a decent payday.
The next season, wherever he signs,‚is again likely a ‘prove it’ season. He’s a very talented player, but being healthy and consistent is what will put him over the top.
A team like the Toronto Maple Leafs need him — a very good player who won’t likely cost much.
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However it also poses the question of, “how much will he really cost?” And that’s the answer we’re all looking for.