Ilya Mikheyev has filed his salary desires for his upcoming arbitration hearing with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports that Mikyehev is looking for a one-year deal at $2.7 million while the Leafs are countering with a two-year deal at $1 million.
Mikheyev made an instant impact with Toronto — and quickly became a fan favourite, too -- in his rookie season last year. The 25-year-old forward registered eight goals and 23 points in 39 games before suffering a serious laceration to his wrist in late December that sent him to the hospital and required months of recovery time. He was able to re-join the team upon the NHL’s return-to-play, but did not register on the score sheet in five qualifying round games.
Mikheyev is coming off a one-year entry-level deal after signing as an undrafted free agent out of the KHL. Defenceman Travis Demott is the only other restricted free agent currently unsigned by the Maple Leafs.