LA Kings' Proposed Trade Package That Could Land Alexander Nikishin From Hurricanes

It appears that Alexander Nikishin's days as a Carolina Hurricane are numbered. As a restricted free agent, he's asked for a trade. But there are two major hurdles to overcome: Satisfying the Hurricanes' ask in a trade package, and making Nikishin happy with a new contract that will likely be in the $9 million AAV or greater range.  

We heard earlier this week from Elliotte Friedman that the Los Angeles Kings are suitors for the big Russian D-man, and that there is mutual interest on Nikishin's part. 

The Kings are looking for a puck-moving left-shot defenseman, and they'd love to get their hands on the Cup-winning blueliner.

So how would a trade work? Reports are that it would take two first-rounders or a reasonable facsimile to pry Nikishin loose from Carolina. 

Scott Coffman of Mayor's Manor has proposed the following package that would be needed to meet the Hurricanes' price. 

If the current asking price is two first rounders, or the equivalent, that means the Kings would need to offer up their 2027 first rounder and one of Henry Brzustewicz or Elton Hermansson.

Brzustewicz was a Kings' first-round pick in the 2025 Draft (31st overall). The sizeable defenseman helped lead the London Knights to two OHL titles in his three junior seasons. The 19-year-old, 6'2" right-shot blueliner is projected as a solid second-pairing D-man eventually in the NHL.  

Hermansson was this year's first-rounder (19th overall) and is a highly skilled offensive forward out of Sweden. 

How could the Kings make the money work for Nikishin?

As for the money, with the Kings holding only $1.8 million in cap space, Coffman notes that they'd have to move out a couple of players to have the cap room to sign Nikishin. 

Coffman pegs defenseman Cody Ceci and his $4.5M cap hit, along with forward Trevor Moore and his $4.2M as the likely candidates. But assuming that the Hurricanes don't want either of these players, can they find a third/fourth team to bring into the fray to make this all work? 

Can GM Ken Holland pull all this off? Does he even want to? 

In summary, admits Coffman, "It seems fairly complex. Impossible? No. Realistic? Not likely."

 

The St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators are two other teams that are known to have also expressed interest in Nikishin.