3 Potential Trade Destinations For Hurricanes' Alexander Nikishin

Tuesday, September 15, 2026 , ,
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This summer has been the offseason of trade requests, as it was reported on Monday that Carolina Hurricanes defenceman Alexander Nikishin wants out.

Nikishin, 24, is a restricted free agent, who has yet to sign a contract for next season, and notified the Hurricanes' management months ago he wanted out. The former third-round pick is loaded with potential, and is coming off a great season, posting 33 points in 81 games, including 11 goals. Nikishin averaged 18:11 in his rookie year.

The Hurricanes are in talks to move Nikishin, but they won't let his trade demands be a distraction in the dressing room, as head coach Rod Brind'Amour already admitted the team is moving on, and focused on repeating as Stanley Cup champions.

“Defenseman Alexander Nikishin remains unsigned by the Carolina Hurricanes as camps get set to open,” TSN's Pierre LeBrun noted. “The 24-year-old RFA requested a change of scenery after the season, and one thing that was made clear to me Monday is that the request remains in place.”

As far as trade destinations go, the Anaheim Ducks are drooling over the fact Nikishin's available, but they have to get Cutter Gauthier signed before anything else, and have a serious cap problem to navigate. The Ducks are very interested, but at this point seem like a long shot.

The Winnipeg Jets are a likely destination as the two teams continue to discuss Connor Hellebuyck trade packages. The Jets aren't going to settle for Nikishin and Pyotr Kochetkov, and want one of the Hurricanes dynamic young forwards in the package.  

Another team to keep an eye on - the Calgary Flames. Craig Conroy is looking to build some excitement around the team and they are desperate for defencemen, so it will be interesting to see if Morgan Frost is shipped out in a move to land Nikishin. The Flames have two right-handed defencemen to build around, and could use some more versatility on the back end.
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