5 Teams Listed As Trade Fits For Hurricanes D-Man Nikishin

The buzz continues around Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin. The big 24-year-old Russian just completed his first NHL season and has a Stanley Cup ring to show for it. But as a restricted free agent, he is currently without a contract, and it sounds like he might not be long for the Hurricanes. 

Insider Elliotte Friedman tells us that we need to keep an eye on this situation as we get closer to training camp next month.

Looks like @FriedgeHNIC has come out of hibernation to give us an update on Nikishin.
Not a lot of concrete details but the source stating “keep an eye on it between now and camp” would indicate to me they are trying to avoid this being a talking point when things kick off in a… pic.twitter.com/xlGvNcIhv6

— JWBS (@JustWanaBS) August 7, 2026

"There's been some talk about, though I don't think anything is close... I don't get the sense that anything is imminent, but I do get the sense that at some point in time I think we're going to see some action there... Keep an eye on it between now and camp.” 

The insider was likely referring to a potential trade, rather than a contract extension, as his comments came right on the heels of his talking about a potential trade of another player around the league. Trade rumors surrounding the defender have been ongoing since the end of the season.

Nikishin, 24, is said to be asking for a sizeable extension after just one year in the NHL, and it seems like the Canes are balking at his demands at this time. 

With that, Ryan Lambert of The Hockey News has proposed five potential destinations for Nikishin when/if he is traded:

• Calgary Flames
• Philadelphia Flyers
• Seattle Kraken
• Vancouver Canucks
• Winnipeg Jets

The Flames and Canucks are in full-on rebuilds, and landing a 24-year-old blueliner who showed the promise that Nikishin did this past regular season, makes a ton of sense. He had 33 points and a +18 rating in 81 games, while handing out 132 hits and blocking 94 shots. 

As for the other Canadian outfit on the list, the Jets are coming off a dreadful season, and could go one of two ways this year: Trying to get right back into the playoffs (after all, they won the Presidents' Trophy in 2024-25), or a trade of Connor Hellebuyck could set off a rebuild. Either way, as Lambert points out, acquiring Nikishin fits. 

"If they are looking to contend again, then Nikishin's playoff experience would be valuable. If they plan on rebuilding, then his age may work with the timeline they are building around."

For the Flyers, they are considering (and have been for more than a year) a trade of veteran defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, so bringing in Nikishin in another deal (or, heck, even the same deal), would work for them. Additionally, the big Russian fits in the age timeline with Flyers' blueliners Jamie Drysdale and Cam York.

The Kraken's first priority should be bringing in some offense. And plenty of it. They've made attempts over the past year, trying to land Artemi Panarin during the season, and then Jason Robertson in a sign-and-trade this offseason. No luck, however. With those attempts failed, perhaps bringing in a d-man with the elite puck-moving skills and a heavy shot like Nikishin could help the offense from the back end.