Nikishin Has Turned Into An Excellent Trade Chip For Hurricanes—With A Caveat

All offseason, Alexander Nikishin was an unsigned restricted free agent, but his value as a trade chip was minimal, since the big Russian defenseman would have to be signed to an expensive contract in order to get him on the ice for any acquiring team. And he wasn't about to go and sign with just any team. 

But now that the Carolina Hurricanes and Nikishin have put aside their differences for now, agreeing on a very team-friendly $3 million, one-year deal, Nikishin has become an excellent trade piece. That is tremendous value for a D-man with his size, physicality and heavy shot, at only 25 years old. 

Ah, but of course, there's a catch, per Frank Seravalli of Frankly Hockey. Sure, he is signed to an 'enticing' contract this year. But what about next year? And the year after that, etc., etc...

They could use him as a piece that someone found really enticing. The trouble with that is, he's going to have a lot of leverage and control because all he has to do is whisper to any acquiring team, 'Hey, like, I wouldn't be signing an extension with you. I don't plan to play for you.' He doesn't have any trade protection, but that is a big wrench in the equation.

And the Hurricanes might not mind that, says Seravalli. He still believes they'd rather try to capitalize on that cheap $3M contract another way:

My understanding of how the Canes think about this: I think they'd probably squeeze every drop out of him that they can on this $3 million deal, make their team as strong as possible for the playoffs... and then address it in the summer. 

And co-host John Buccigross then completed the thought:

"...And dare someone to offer sheet him and then decide either to take the compensation, work a trade, or match it."

In the meantime, Nikishin still hasn't made his Hurricanes debut this season, as he's undergoing a "mini training camp", per head coach Rod Brind'Amour. The 6'3" D-man needs some time to get up to speed before re-entering the lineup following his prolonged offseason contract stalemate.