Alexander Nikishin: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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The Carolina Hurricanes are 7-4-0 11 games into the 2025-26 season. They’re only four points behind the Metropolitan Division lead with two games in hand on the New Jersey Devils and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Carolina Hurricanes News / Breakaway on SI / October 17

Hurricanes Rookie Defender Finding Game After Tough Debut

The Carolina Hurricanes were excited for several years about the potential of Russian defenseman Alexander Nikishin. A standout in the KHL, he made the leap to the Hurricanes at the end of last season.

NHL News / Breakaway on SI / September 23

One Move Every Metropolitan Division Should Make

The Metropolitan Division enters the upcoming NHL season as the weakest one. What was the powerhouse of the league several years ago is now a wide open race with multiple teams vying for the title of division winner and Stanley Cup threat.

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Carolina Hurricanes News / The Hockey Writers / August 26

Hurricanes’ Alexander Nikishin Invited to 2025 NHLPA Rookie Showcase

The NHLPA on Tuesday morning (Aug. 26) announced the roster for the upcoming 2025 NHLPA Rookie Showcase that will be held on Sep. 3 at Medstar Capitals Iceplex Arena.

NHL News / Yardbarker

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NHL head coaches have to hire good assistants. They have to set an overarching philosophy, juggle lineup configurations, and do the kind of “man management” that is impossible to track statistically.

Carolina Hurricanes News / Breakaway on SI / August 18

Hurricanes Rookie Ready For Big Debut

The Carolina Hurricanes went for size, skill and upside when they selected left-shot defenseman Alexander Nikishin in the third round (69th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft.

Carolina Hurricanes News / Pro Hockey Rumors / June 6

Why the Carolina Hurricanes can’t get over the hump

The Hurricanes have been near the top of the NHL standings for the bulk of the last decade. So why can't they get to the promised land?

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Carolina Hurricanes News / Inside The Rink / May 16

Alexander Nikishin Makes Hurricanes Debut

WASHINGTON DC: After five years and one thousand days later, the wait for many Hurricanes fans has ended. On May 15, ahead of Game 5 of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Washington Capitals, Carolina rookie defenseman Alexander Nikishin took warmups.

Carolina Hurricanes News / Daily Faceoff / April 28

Why it took so long for the Hurricanes to officially sign Alexander Nikishin

The Carolina Hurricanes officially registered defenseman Alexander Nikishin to an entry-level contract on Saturday following reports from his Russian agent that Nikishin was unhappy.

Carolina Hurricanes News / House of Hockey / April 27

Carolina Hurricanes Forced to Act Quickly After Top Prospect Nearly Demands Trade

Alexander Nikishin's agent recently threatened to walk away from the Carolina Hurricanes, and now the team have responded and have a contract done. There

Carolina Hurricanes News / Daily Faceoff / April 26

Hurricanes officially register Alexander Nikishin to entry-level contract

The Carolina Hurricanes officially registered defenseman Alexander Nikishin to an entry-level contract, Walt Ruff announced Saturday. “We had agreed with his agents to keep the options open for Alex to potentially play a game in Chicago at some point,” Hurricanes General Manager Eric Tulsky said.

Carolina Hurricanes News / Pro Hockey Rumors / April 26

Hurricanes officially register prospect's contract

On Friday, a representative for Hurricanes prospect Alexander Nikishin expressed some frustration that his contract had yet to be registered with the NHL despite being agreed to in principle before the playoffs.

Carolina Hurricanes News / Breakaway on SI / April 25

Hurricanes Prospect Bashes Contract Situation

The Carolina Hurricanes recently welcomed the arrival of top prospect defenseman Alexander Nikishin after his KHL season came to an end. Despite Nikishin making his way to Carolina for a chance to help the Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Hurricanes are yet to lace up for a game.

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Carolina Hurricanes News / Blade of Steel / April 25

Top Young Defenseman Threatens To Leave The NHL Over Contract Dispute

The Hurricanes have long been a difficult team to work with, and now Alexander Nikishin's camp has figured that out as they threaten to return home to Russia.

Carolina Hurricanes News / Inside The Rink / April 12

Alexander Nikishin Signs with the Carolina Hurricanes

RALEIGH, North Carolina: The words Carolina Hurricanes fans have waited nearly five years for became official yesterday morning. “Alexander Nikishin is a Carolina Hurricane.” Nikishin, 23, was drafted by the Hurricanes in 2020 at sixty-ninth overall.

Carolina Hurricanes News / Field Level Media / April 11

Canes sign D Alexander Nikishin to two-year contract

The Carolina Hurricanes signed Russian defenseman Alexander Nikishin to a two-year contract Friday. The entry-level deal will pay him $832,500 for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons, plus a $185,000 signing bonus.

Carolina Hurricanes News / NHL Trade Talk / April 11

Hurricanes Sign KHL D-Man Alexander Nikishin to Entry-Level Deal

The Carolina Hurricanes have officially signed standout defenseman Alexander Nikishin to a two-year entry-level contract following the mutual termination of his deal with SKA St.

Carolina Hurricanes News / The Hockey Writers / April 11

Hurricanes Sign Impact Prospect Alexander Nikishin to 2-Year ELC

The news that all Carolina Hurricanes fans have been waiting for has been confirmed: Alexander Nikishin has terminated his contract with SKA of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Carolina Hurricanes News / Daily Faceoff / April 11

Why Alexander Nikishin could be the missing piece for Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup push

When the Carolina Hurricanes drafted Alexander Nikishin 69th overall in 2020, most people considered him another big, run-of-the-mill defensive defender.

Carolina Hurricanes News / Daily Faceoff / April 11

Alexander Nikishin set to sign with Hurricanes after leaving KHL

Another top star from Russia is set to come to North America. On Friday, SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League announced that the team and defenseman Alexander Nikishin have mutually agreed to terminate Nikishin’s contract.

Carolina Hurricanes News / Pro Hockey Rumors / April 11

Top Hurricanes defense prospect will finish season in Carolina

Top Hurricanes defense prospect Alexander Nikishin will be finishing the season in Carolina. SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League announced this morning they’ve mutually terminated their contract with Nikishin, set to expire May 31, and will allow him to sign an NHL contract with the Hurricanes beginning this season.

NHL News / Dose.ca / April 8

The difference between Ivan Demidov and Alexander Nikishin, who could be leaving SKA

Ivan Demidov will likely finish his season in the VHL, the American League of Russia. The Montreal Canadiens obviously own his rights in the NHL… and even if I have no doubt that the habs must work very hard to bring him to the city as soon as possible, we should not expect it to happen.

Carolina Hurricanes News / Last Word On Sports / March 17

Alexander Nikishin is the Carolina Hurricanes Next Defensive Star

Carolina’s track record of developing a world-class defensive core isn’t going anywhere with the impending addition of Alexander Nikishin. Standing tall at 6’4″, and 216 lbs, the Russian monster is regarded as one of the world’s top prospects.

NHL News / House of Hockey / January 22

Horrific scene as the number one prospect in all of hockey nearly loses consciousness after high hit

The 23-year-old defenseman was playing in a game for SKA. St. Petersburg of the KHL when he was hit up high by a player from Lokomotive. At first, Alexander Nikishin appeared to shake it off as he immediately got back to his feet, but after taking one step, he fell to the ice awkwardly, landing on his chin.

Carolina Hurricanes News / The Hockey Writers / September 12, 2024

Hurricanes’ Prospect Alexander Nikishin Talks Season Goals, Move to NHL in Russian Interview

Alexander Nikishin has yet to make his debut this season, as he’s still battling his old injury that took him out of last season’s playoffs. It was a good run for SKA and the defenseman.