NHL Trade Rumors: Hurricanes Could Make Surprising Name Available
If Carolina gets a real shot at landing a true difference maker, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reports the Hurricanes could make highly regarded defenseman Alexander Nikishin available in a package, while also continuing to shop forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi as they explore ways to upgrade before the deadline.
The Nikishin angle is what makes this rumor feel real
Nikishin isn’t some throw in name, which is exactly why his availability would only come up in a big game hunt.
At just 24-years-old and in his first NHL season, he has six goals and 20 points in 47 games this season with a plus 12 rating, and he’s bringing the heavy work too with 87 hits and 57 blocked shots. That's the kind of all-around profile teams drool over when they’re looking for a young defender who can play in big minutes.
He popped with a power play goal and an assist in Carolina’s recent 9-1 demolition of the Florida Panthers, and then dropped Chicago Blackhawk's Oliver Moore in what might have been the quickest fight ever.
Oliver Moore gets DROPPED by Alexander Nikishin after taking exception to a hit 😵👊 pic.twitter.com/gG5U3PUeJZ
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) January 23, 2026
Carolina’s bigger picture includes Kotkaniemi and the blue line rumors
Pagnotta’s report lines up with a league wide read that Carolina is still probing for impact help, and it lands in the middle of separate chatter connecting the Hurricanes to New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton as a “potential fit,” per Pierre LeBrun’s comments on TSN.
Oliver Moore drops the gloves with Alexander Nikishin #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/4wSaVlMIkh
— Hockey Barn Review (@hockeybarn_) January 23, 2026
If Carolina is willing to discuss Nikishin only when a major piece is coming back, it shows they’re aiming higher than a simple depth tweak, and Kotkaniemi being available gives them another movable contract to juggle the math if the right star shakes loose.
Carolina obviously wouldn't send back Nikishin in a Hamilton trade, it would need to be for something much bigger.
Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
