Intriguing Team Now Linked To Hurricanes' Alexander Nikishin
The Carolina Hurricanes have a big decision to make on rookie RFA defenseman Alexander Nikishin. Do they sign him to the massive contract he's looking for, or deal him? For now, they have made him available to other teams. The big Russian blueliner is not eligible for an offer sheet, but the Stanley Cup champs are willing to listen to trade offers.
There are a number of teams that have been linked to the 6'3" rearguard, like the NY Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks, but another team with interest has now emerged.
"St. Louis is another team that has taken a long look at Alexander Nikishin," writes Insider Elliotte Friedman.
The Blues are re-tooling this offseason, having already made such moves as trading away Jordan Kyrou, while adding Mason McTavish and Brandon Carlo. They're still looking to make more moves with their roster.
After just one season in the NHL, Nikishin is already looking for a massive extension, some are saying in the range of an 8-year, $8 million AAV. He posted 11 goals, 33 points, 132 hits and 94 blocked shots, with a plus/minus rating of +18 in his first regular season in North America. But he wilted in the Stanley Cup playoffs, seeing his ice time dwindle from over 18 minutes a night during the season, to just 14:50 per game in the postseason.
Nevertheless, the Canes are asking a hefty price for him, and they've added another crucial stipulation to any trade. Any interested team must also take on a bad contract, specifically, the four years remaining at a $4.82M cap hit for Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
Six teams want Alexander Nikishin. Carolina's answer: sure, but you're taking Jesperi Kotkaniemi and his $4.82M too. That's how a Cup-winning D becomes a package deal. #NHL pic.twitter.com/TK27IXejZx
— Play-Pause Hockey (@PlayPauseHockey) July 4, 2026
The Hurricanes had an option to buy out Kotkaniemi, but they decided against it and will try to deal him to any team that wants Nikishin.
