Canucks reporter gets a brutally honest crash course on Ilya Mikheyev from a Leafs media member
As Leafs fans, we're well aware of what former Leafs winger Ilya Mikheyev is. We know that he can be exciting and electric and we know that's he's a sound defensive player who forces turnovers. But, conversely, we know that he can be equally frustrating and makes some questionable decisions in the offensive zone.
The Vancouver Canucks bet big on Mikheyev on Wednesday, inking him to a 4-year deal worth a lofty $4.75M per season, and while I'm sure Leafs fans are happy for Mikheyev that he got the deal he was looking for, I think we're more happy over the fact that he didn't get it in Toronto, because, quite simply, the AAV is more than the value that he provides on the ice on a nightly basis.
On Tuesday, Daily Faceoff/Canucks Army journalist David Quadrelli was given a crash course on Mikheyev from an unspecified Leafs media member. I'd say it's a pretty fair assessment of what Mikheyev is and adequately encapsulates why the Leafs were not prepared to pay him the $4.75M per season that the Canucks are giving him.
"He is fast as hell, has one breakaway move that works, but loves to shoot into the goaltender's chest. They've overpaid for a penalty kill specialist."
How's that for blunt? LOL..
This is not to say that the Canucks won't enjoy Mikheyev, because there are a lot of areas of his game that make him easy to love as a player. However, his shortcomings are very glaring and that cap hit is probably not going to sit well with Canucks fans after the first year of the deal.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 14 | 325 ANSWERS Canucks reporter gets a brutally honest crash course on Ilya Mikheyev from a Leafs media member What do you think about the Mikheyev deal? | ||
| Way too much money | 169 | 52 % |
| I think it's fine | 44 | 13.5 % |
| I'm just glad the Leafs aren't paying for it | 112 | 34.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
