I just don't see him playing this year with KHL schedule (later playoffs this year, Mar 26 to May 25, 2025), Canes filled at the inn with Left D + is he playing a man to man system right now? As we have seen with others, it would be tough to bring him into the playoff lineup without some experience in our system.
Prospect Info: #69(nice)OA - Hurricanes select LHD Alexander Nikishin (Spartak - KHL)
- Thread starter DaveG
- Start date
Bunch of Jurcos
The poster formally known as Hedley
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It would be nice to get him over here asap to get him acclimated to the team, smaller ice, and if he does not speak English yet, to have Pytor and Andrei as familiar faces to help with the transition. Although don't almost all high level prospects learn at least some English?
Regardless of whether or not he plays a couple of games this year, he'll one full year with his entry level contract before being an RFA for 2026-2027 (given his age)?? Is that what it is?
Borsig
PoKechetkov
Bring in Nikishin and trade Orlov at the deadline for a prospect or picks to someone desperate.
Or if we can get him here before, do the same for whatever
Or if we can get him here before, do the same for whatever
WreckingCrew
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No reason to do this unless we're out of the playoff hunt, otherwise you're one injury away from a dire situation on defense
The Faulker 27
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cptjeff
Reprehensible User
He wouldn't be coming over until the KHL season is over, and it their regular ends several weeks after the deadline. And Nikishin has spoken about how he still really wants to win a KHL championship.
Unlikely that he would be able to come over until the playoffs. Which means... oh darn, no more salary cap.
Not a crazy idea but timing is off.
Orlov doesn't have a NT clause in his contract but please note TDL is 3/7/25. Plus, I don’t think we would get a good asset in return.
edit TD date...left out a key number....thanks Bunch of Jurcos
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spockBokk
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Not that I’m advocating trading Orlov, but if the Canes fall out of playoff contention for whatever reasons AND they’re willing to eat 50% of Orlov’s salary, I bet they’d get at least a 2nd+ for his services from a contending team. I suppose it’s subjective as to whether or not one thinks of that as a “good” return. He’s still a top 4 D on every team in the league.
In that same vein, I bet they’d get a good return for Burns too, if it came to that.
All that said, I think things would have to go disastrously off the rails for the Canes to miss the playoffs, so likely moot.
AhosDatsyukian
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Honestly I think even if his KHL season ends early enough for him to come over here for our playoffs I don't think Rod would even play him at all. Would be nice to get him signed and with the team but I doubt we see him play for us before next season opening night.
Bunch of Jurcos
The poster formally known as Hedley
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I think the trade deadline would be 3/7 since it was 3/8 this year.
spockBokk
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LakeLivin
Armchair Quarterback
Time to buy tissue futures. Pants have been moved to "sell"
bleedgreen
Registered User
Agreed. I don’t see Rod moving anyone out for any young player at the end of the season unless someone is TDA struggling or hurt. I’m sure he’ll get some games on a rotation and be maybe in when someone goes down in the playoffs. Only because we see Rod do it last year so you know he would. If those games matter then probably not.
That would be interesting though, if Rod had to make a choice between an AHL guy he knows and Nikishin if after a couple of games Nikishin didn’t really shine yet….and it’s the playoffs. If he played Ryan over Nikishin f26 would set fire to the earth, but it would be very Rod-ish and probably the right move.
I have no doubt Tulsky did this to have the option to bring over Nikishin if it presents itself at the end of the KHL season.
I still have little belief that SKA St. Petersburg will let him out before they are eliminated from the playoffs or that they will be eliminated early enough for Nikishin to get any time in the regular season.
Without that, I agree Nikishin in the playoffs is unlikely barring injury. Maybe he does get time over Smith or another AHL defenseman, but I don't think he gets in over a healthy Walker.
Stickpucker
Playmaka
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Nikishin will come over and be the Cam Ward of defenseman and make some huge plays in the POs.
CandyCanes
Caniac turned Jerkiac
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If there's not room at forward come the end of the season, he could start his career like Brent Burns did as a forward 
HisIceness
This is Hurricanes Hockey
Fernando Pisani with the puck? Nikishin says "no problem!"
AhosDatsyukian
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thinking outside the box, I like it. not sure what he'd think of it but I'd be all for just seeing what he does as a 4th line winger lol. but early career he couldn't be less like Burns wasIf there's not room at forward come the end of the season, he could start his career like Brent Burns did as a forward
The Jerk Store
Felix Unger Score'em
If he comes over before the playoffs, I'm sure Rod would find a way to get him into the lineup, perhaps dressing 11-7. During the playoffs I can see him edging out Orlov for a game or two if Orlov gaffes and Nikishin lives up to his hype.
CandyCanes
Caniac turned Jerkiac
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You could see him doing what?
Bunch of Jurcos
The poster formally known as Hedley
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Next time can you be more specific. I did this at work and now some nice men with badges and pew pews want to escort me out of the building. It probably didn't help that when they asked me to turn in my work badge was I told them we don't need no stinking badges.
On the other hand I won't need to work anymore due to your tip and getting into lotion futures. Johnson & Johnson is taking me to the moon baby!
