Ilya Mikheyev fulfilling promise, combining speed with scoring

Ilya Mikheyev's speed has impressed since he signed with the Maple Leafs in 2019 but Toronto fans are finally seeing his full potential when the Russian winger combines his fleet of foot with composure in front of the net.

Video Transcript

- Remember when Ilya Mikheyev used to get a shorthanded breakaway and he wouldn't score? I know, it seems so far away. But I think we're finally seeing peak Ilya Mikheyev, where he's finally been able to time his foot speed with the speed of his hands. And he's scoring a lot of goals, which is, again, something we've all wanted for so long. Just think of the journey.

He signed as a KHL free agent, joins a team, has that brutal injury. His speeds increase, but he just doesn't have the finish. And now he's finally put everything together. Imagine if Dubas listened when he demanded a trade, or asked for a trade. Imagine. But Dubas said no.

Dubas is a smart GM, OK? Ilya Mikheyev asked for a deal, he said no. And look, now everything he does, we praise. [INAUDIBLE] strike. Like, it's unbelievable. We all focus on Mitch Marner and what he does on the penalty kill-- and obviously Mitch Marner does a lot-- but Mikheyev's speed is so dangerous. And the fact that he's finally able to score with it is just wild. Tell me, do you not see Mikheyev scoring like a huge shorthanded breakaway goal in the playoffs? I see it for sure. And again, I think the fact that he's finally able to put everything together-- one, speaks to his journey, but also speaks to how valuable he is on the team.