Hurricanes Including Alexander Nikishin In Trade Talks

Even after winning the Stanley Cup, the Carolina Hurricanes aren’t being complacent. According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Hurricanes have included rookie defenseman Alexander Nikishin in trade negotiations.

Despite finishing his rookie season during the 2025-26 campaign, in which on the All-Rookie Team, Nikishin is scheduled to become a restricted free agent without arbitration rights in a few days. Essentially, as Dreger noted, the Hurricanes are weighing what they could fetch for Nikishin on the trade market compared to what a long-term extension may look like.

This isn’t the first time that Nikishin has been thrown out as a speculative trade candidate. Before playing in North America, Carolina had offered Nikishin, among other assets, to the Calgary Flames for Matthew Tkachuk ahead of the 2022-23 season. Obviously, the Flames pivoted, sending Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers.

Since then, while primarily playing for the KHL’s SKA St. Petersburg, Nikishin became the Hurricanes’ most promising prospect. He debuted with the club last spring, registering one assist in four games throughout the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs.

This season, his first in the NHL, Nikishin played as expected, scoring 11 goals and 33 points in 81 games with a +18 rating, averaging 18:11 of ice time per game. Additionally, the 6’3″ right-handed blue liner wasn’t afraid to engage with the game physically, finishing with 94 blocked shots and 132 hits.

Meanwhile, all of his metrics were solid, though that is the case for many players who play in Rod Brind’Amour‘s system. Nikishin finished with a 58.3% CorsiFor and a 90.7% on-ice SV% at even strength. Still, it’s important to point out that Carolina sheltered him quite a bit, beginning 65.0% of his shifts in the offensive zone.

Regardless, defensemen of Nikishin’s archetype are rare, which is why it’s unsurprising that so many teams have already contacted the Hurricanes regarding his availability. As the reigning Stanley Cup champions, Carolina has few holes in their roster to fill.

If they do end up trading Nikishin this offseason, he will likely be the headliner for a package to acquire an All-Star-level talent. Although it’s all speculation at this point, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Hurricanes include Nikishin in trade negotiations for Dylan Larkin from the Detroit Red Wings or Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets.