Blues & Hurricanes Linked to Potential Big Trade

The Carolina Hurricanes, as always, are looking to take a big swing as we approach the trade deadline. Last year, it was Mikko Rantanen; the year before that, Jake Guentzel. Most believe that this season will be no different.

One top-flight offensive talent they've got their eye on is Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues. And according to insider David Pagnotta, appearing on The Sheet with Jeff Marek, the Canes would be willing to part with a terrific young piece of their defense to get something like that done.

"I've heard that Carolina is willing to move Nikishin, if they're bringing that caliber of player back."@TheFourthPeriod shares the latest on Robert Thomas and how serious the Carolina Hurricanes are about making a big move👀#stlblues #CarolinaCulture pic.twitter.com/wmZKH4g9tJ
— The Sheet with Jeff Marek (@thesheethockey) January 23, 2026

Alexander Nikishin is having a tremendous rookie season on the Carolina blueline, but Pagnotta says if they have an opportunity "to bring in a star, superstar-level player who's controllable", they would make Nikishin available.

"I've heard that Carolina is willing to move Nikishin, if they're bringing that caliber of player back. And I wonder if there's a fit there."

Blues want their socks knocked off to move Robert Thomas

The Blues have told other teams that "we'll listen, but you've gotta blow us out of the water. You've gotta knock our socks off" in order for them to move Thomas. Pagnotta wonders if Nikishin would be the kind of offer that could pry the Blues' socks off.

The insider, however, was quick to calm Carolina fans: "Hurricanes fans are going to go nuts about this... They're NOT just trying to get rid of him. (Rather)... similar to St. Louis's mindset with Thomas — 'You've gotta knock our socks off'."

Thomas is in Year 3 of an 8-year, $8.125M AAV deal, and he's been well over a point-per-game man for the previous four seasons. He's had a slow first half this year, with 11 goals and 33 points in 42 games, but Carolina, and everyone else around the league, is aware that the 26-year-old is a legit top-six talent.

Could Nikishin become a trade piece for the Canes to bring in a big offensive talent?

As for Nikishin, his transition to North America has gone as well as anyone could have hoped, as he's averaged 18:44 of ice time per night on the Canes blueline. He's bringing physical play with his 6'3" frame (92 hits in 50 games), blocking shots (62), and using his big shot and high hockey IQ to rack up 20 points and post a plus/minus rating of +12.

This would be an eye-popping one-for-one kind of move if it were to ever come to fruition.