Alexander Nikishin: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Features

Alexander Nikishin is still a Carolina Hurricane. That didn't feel like a possible outcome for most of the summer, but the longer the standoff between Nikishin's camp and the front office went on, the muddier the water became.

NHL News / NHL Rumors / October 27

NHL Rumors: Some NHL teams value Alexander Nikishin at $6 million, not $9 million

The Montreal Canadiens have some internal options, the Nashville Predators continue to eye the Dman market, and teams view Alexander Nikishin at $6 million and not $9 million Frank Seravalli of Sportsnet: The Montreal Canadiens have been active in the trade market all season and into the offseason.

NHL News / Editor In Leaf / October 27

Maple Leafs may never have a better chance to trade for Alexander Nikishin

The recent news about the Carolina Hurricanes and defenseman Alexander Nikishin agreeing on a one-year $3 million deal instantly brought a thought to my mind: This would be an ideal opportunity for the Maple Leafs to push for a Nikishin trade.

Nikita Kucherov News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'NHL Hart Trophy winners' quiz

Can you name every winner of the Hart Trophy, which honors the most valuable player in the NHL, since 1983?

The 'Most goals in NHL history' quiz

The 'Conn Smythe Trophy winners' quiz

The '2026-27 NHL captains' quiz

NHL News / NHL Trade Talk / October 26

Rangers Had a Trade in Place for Nikishin; Does His New Deal Help or Hurt Them?

Elliotte Friedman on the most recent episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast that the New York Rangers were extremely close on a trade that would have seen them land Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The biggest draft bust for every NHL team

People love a good mid-round draft pick that pans out, and in the NHL you used to see those fairly often, but that’s obviously partially luck. If the Red Wings thought Nicklas Lidstrom was going to become a top-five defenseman in history, they wouldn’t have waited until the 53rd pick to take him.

Carolina Hurricanes News / Daily Faceoff / October 27

Alexander Nikishin extension is an underwhelming ending to contract saga

The Carolina Hurricanes and defenseman Alexander Nikishin have finally agreed on a new contract, and after such a drawn-out process, the ending felt a bit anticlimactic.

Hurricanes GM talks about why Nikishin’s contract extension took so long

Are the Devils Stanley Cup contenders with Connor Hellebuyck?

Will Hellebuyck have issues with late start to season?

Canadiens goalie Jacob Fowler sets NHL record in win over Jets

Quinn Hughes latest NHL player to get harsh reception from former team

Carolina Hurricanes News / Daily Faceoff / October 26

Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky talks about why Alexander Nikishin’s contract extension took so long

Looming contract and trade situations have been getting resolved en masse throughout the NHL in the past couple of weeks, including one involving the reigning Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes.

NHL News / The Hockey Writers / October 26

NHL Rumors: Hellebuyck Has More to Say, Nikishin Timing, Only One Way Montreal Gets Larkin

In today’s NHL rumors rundown, the Winnipeg Jets may have traded Connor Hellebuyck to avoid a public confrontation. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes have re-signed Alexander Nikishin after a difficult contract standoff.

NHL News / Oil on Whyte / October 26

The Oilers and the NHL are the real winners of the Alexander Nikishin extension

The Carolina Hurricanes' latest strategy with regard to defenseman Alexander Nikishin? Delay the inevitable ... or at least try to. While the issue of a larger payday and what that looks like is more than certainly on the table, the Hurricanes' front office is clearly content to kick the can down the road and prioritize the team's title defense.

Carolina Hurricanes News / The Forkball / October 26

Hurricanes Sign Alexander Nikishin to One-Year Deal

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed restricted free agent defenseman Alexander Nikishin to a one-year, $3 million deal, ending a months-long standoff that kept him out of training camp and the start of the regular season.

Carolina Hurricanes News / The Hockey Writers / October 25

Hurricanes End Nikishin Contract Stalemate With 1-Year Deal

After what felt like an eternity, the Carolina Hurricanes and defenseman Alexander Nikishin have come to a contract agreement. The Hurricanes Sunday afternoon announced the 25-year-old signed a one-year, $3 million deal, keeping him in Raleigh through the 2026-27 season.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The defining figure for every NHL franchise

People will talk about the “Mount Rushmore” for a franchise, which is to say the four people, usually four players, that most define the franchise. Not always the four-best players, but the four that evoke the essence of the franchise.

Carolina Hurricanes News / Daily Faceoff / October 25

Hurricanes sign Alexander Nikishin to one-year contract

The Carolina Hurricanes announced Sunday they signed defenseman Alexander Nikishin to a one-year contract that will pay him $3 million. “We’re glad that Alexander is returning to our group,” said Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky in a news release.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Active 3-rushing-TD NFL games' quiz

The 'Last 100-yard teammates by team' quiz

The 'Active NFL rushing-TD leaders' quiz

The 'CBB mythical mascots' quiz

Carolina Hurricanes News / NHL Trade Talk / October 25

Hurricanes Sign Alexander Nikishin to a 1-Year Extension

First broken NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Carolina Hurricanes confirmed that they have signed defenseman Alexander Nikishin to a one-year contract extension.

Alexander Nikishin News / Pro Hockey Rumors / October 25

Hurricanes Re-Sign Alexander Nikishin To A One-Year Contract

While Alexander Nikishin made it clear that he would like to move on from Carolina, no trade has materialized just yet, nor is he eligible to sign an offer

Carolina Hurricanes News / Daily Faceoff / October 21

Alexander Nikishin, Hurricanes ready to part ways

The Carolina Hurricanes are off to an excellent start in their quest to repeat as Stanley Cup champions. They currently boast an 8-2-1 record and the most points in the league, and they’re doing it without one of their key players from last year’s team.

Calgary Flames News / Flamesnation / October 16

Should the Flames trade for Simon Edvinsson or Alexander Nikishin?

Defence wins championships. Early into the Calgary Flames’ rebuild, their need for the prospect pool is game-changing centres. Cole Reschny, Jack Hextall, and Cullen Potter look solid, but none of those three profiles as a superstar centre who’ll contend for Art Ross Trophies.

Carolina Hurricanes News / Pro Hockey Rumors / October 12

No Alexander Nikishin Trade Imminent

Alexander Nikishin is having a harder time finding a new home. According to Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet’s Saturday Headlines, there isn’t a trade on the immediate horizon for the Hurricanes with Nikishin.

NHL News / NHL Rumors / October 11

NHL Rumors: Simon Edvinsson, Alexander Nikishin, and Offer Sheets

Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman said things are status quo between the Detroit Red Wings and RFA defenseman Simon Edvinsson. He’d still like a trade, but the Red Wings aren’t giving up on re-signing him.

Carolina Hurricanes News / NHL Trade Talk / October 9

Alexander Nikishin May Have to Go Back to the Hurricanes: The Trade Request Mess

Alexander Nikishin wants out of Carolina. The Hurricanes aren’t in a hurry to oblige. And, unfortunately for Nikishin, the Hurricanes have the leverage here, something that got clearer with a couple of recent insider reports.

Carolina Hurricanes News / Pro Hockey Rumors / October 9

Update on Alexander Nikishin

Oct 9, 2026: According to Elliotte Friedman on his 32 Thoughts podcast, Nikishin is losing leverage on his trade request. Situationally, the NHL season being underway has seen the ball thrown in his court.

Carolina Hurricanes News / Pro Hockey Rumors / October 6

Hurricanes’ Alexander Nikishin Reportedly Seeking $9MM Salary

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin continues to sit without a contract for the 2026-27 season after requesting a trade away from the Stanley Cup champions earlier in the summer.

Carolina Hurricanes News / The Hockey Writers / October 5

Alexander Nikishin’s Absence Is Contributing to Hurricanes’ Early-Season Struggles

The start of the Stanley Cup defense hasn’t been what the Carolina Hurricanes wanted. Several issues have emerged in the opening games, but perhaps the most underrated part of the Hurricanes’ struggles is Alexander Nikishin’s absence.

Carolina Hurricanes News / NHL Rumors / October 1

NHL Rumors: Alexander Nikishin and Carolina Hurricanes Waiting for the Right Trade Package

The Carolina Hurricanes opened their season by falling to the Florida Panthers 1-0 with 4.3 seconds left in overtime. Carolina did so without restricted free agent defenseman Alexander Nikishin.

NHL News / NHL Rumors / October 1

Alexander Nikishin Rumors – The Rangers Talk May Have been at the Draft, But There Has Been Recent Talk With Someone Else

The failed Carolina Hurricanes – New York Rangers trade may have been around the draft, but there has been recent Alexander Nikishin trade talk involving someone Daily Faceoff: David Pagnotta notes that the failed Alexander Nikishin trade to the New York Rangers happened around the 2026 NHL draft, and not recently.

Carolina Hurricanes News / Field Level Media / September 28