Carolina Hurricanes Advancing On Trade Talks Involving Alexander Nikishin

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Hurricanes have been listening to trade offers to see what kind of creative deals they could come up with to make their team better for next season, and beyond.

Nikishin, 24, continues to sit without a contract for next season. The restricted free-agent blueliner is among a small group of RFA's who don't have new deals, however, he's the one free-agent that everyone keeps talking about on the trade market, due to his massive upside of potential.

Nikishin, a former third-round pick, appeared in 81 games for the Hurricanes last season, and as a rookie, averaged 18:11 of ice-time and contributed with 11 goals and 33 points. He saw some time on the second power-play unit, and has power-play quarterback potential long term. The Russian defenceman also played a key role on the Hurricanes penalty kill, and unfortunately for the Hurricanes, even though they won, Nikishin's role diminished during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, seeing just 14:49 of ice time. 

The Hurricanes sit with $9.8 million in cap space and Nikishin is their only current free agent without a contract for next season, so it will be interesting to see how this all plays out. There's certainly room to make an offer for next season, but management admits they're listening to any, and all trade offers at the moment.

Eric Tulsky (Hurricanes GM): Re Alexander Nikishin rumours: We certainly get a lot of calls on him. We always have; if there are trades that will help move us forward, then, of course, we will do it - via Tom Gulitti/NHLcom (8/5)

As far as potential trade destinations go, keep an eye on the Anaheim Ducks and Philadelphia Flyers. Both teams have young forwards who the Hurricanes would love to get their hands on, and the Ducks are desperate to find a top-four defenceman before next season, even though their cap situation has been turned upside down since Leo Carlsson's new deal transpired.