New Team Linked To Nikishin, But Signing Him Just Became More Difficult

Alexander Nikishin remains one of the top remaining restricted free agents, and his future with the Stanley Cup champions continues to be in doubt. 

Coming off a very solid rookie season, the Russian defender is looking for a huge extension coming off his entry-level deal, and his price tag has just gone up yet again. 

Earlier in the summer, he suggested that he was looking for something north of an $8M AAV on a new deal. But after the recent signing of young blueliner Zeev Buium by the Vancouver Canucks to a $9.38M AAV on an eight-year contract, it's expected the more-accomplished Nikishin will now be looking at double digits.   

So Alexander Nikishin initially wanted around $8M. He's obviously looking for more now, seeing the market trend (now $8M is a STEAL).
Since he's already proven to be better in most areas of the game than Buium, I think his ask is over the $10M hump now, and not for 8 years. The…

— Dobber (@DobberHockey) September 8, 2026

Dobber Hockey suggested that Nikishin will ask for over $10M annually, as "he's already proven to be better in most areas of the game than Buium," at least at this point in their careers. Buium is still just 20 and coming off his first professional season, while Nikishin, 24, was a star blueliner in the KHL in Russia for three years before coming over to the NHL last year. 

Elliotte Friedman echoed Dobber's assessment, saying that "I do think for defensemen, the calculus has changed," after the Buium deal. 

New team linked to interest in RFA Nikishin

He also feels that the Nashville Predators "are kicking around" on Nikishin. They have $9.7 million in cap space at the moment, and could probably make something work. Keep in mind, as well, that the Preds just got two high picks, a first-rounder and second-rounder in the surprising Luke Evangelista trade with the New Jersey Devils. They could include those in an offer to Carolina. 

Other teams, like the St. Louis Blues, and even the Winnipeg Jets, if Carolina is in on a Connor Hellebuyck trade, are frequently linked to Nikishin. The Blues have only $4.3 million in current cap space, but they will place Torey Krug and his $6.5 million cap hit on SE-LTIR and have the room to sign Nikishin. The Jets have only $4.5 million in space, but if Hellebuyck's $8.5M is on the way out, they could get it done as well.