AD Skinner
Registered User
Man I miss kuznetsov already. I was rewatching the rangers series from last year and he really was one of our best forwards in it
Prospect Info: #69(nice)OA - Hurricanes select LHD Alexander Nikishin (Spartak - KHL)
- Thread starter DaveG
- Start date
Svechhammer
THIS is hockey?
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Sounds like we might be trying to leverage Nikishin having his salary cut in half to get him over sooner.
Zine
Registered User
- Feb 28, 2002
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Nikishin is almost certainly agreeing to a reduced salary in exchange for being released immediately after SKA's season ends. Playoffs start 26 March. Otherwise he'd have to wait until 31 May when all expiring KHL contracts officially terminate.
New Jersey's Gritsyuk agreed to the same thing.
HisIceness
This is Hurricanes Hockey
Nikishin Go Boom
Russian Bulldozer Consultent
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If those are reading the KHL rules are doing so correctly, Nikishin can terminate his contract as long as he pays 60% of his deal within 2 months of termination. His new deal is 20 mil rubles or 215k. He would get a larger signing bonus than the 129k to buy it out. And he would make more than 215k this season (assuming he plays in the nhl).
Svechhammer
THIS is hockey?
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Yeah I was seeing the same.
This makes the ability for him to buy out his contract pretty easy. He'd easily clear the buyout figure with his signing bonus alone, and would make significantly more in the NHL this year than he would in the KHL. If he truly feels he has nothing more to prove over there, I would almost expect it to happen.
Nikishin Go Boom
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AhosDatsyukian
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He’s been quoted multiple times as wanting to win the Gagarin Cup and leave a lasting legacy in the K before going to NA. I don’t think he’ll stay past this year to try to do that but I think it’s a pipe dream to get him here before SKA’s season ends.
HisIceness
This is Hurricanes Hockey
Zine
Registered User
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Don't forget a player also needs to give 16 months prior notice to unilaterially terminate a sports contract. That's not KHL law but Russian law.
The only way Nikishin plays in the NHL this season is if SKA is eliminated from the playoffs early enough, or Carolina is greasing the palms of SKA under the table.
Svechhammer
THIS is hockey?
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Unsustainable
Seth Jarvis has Big Kahunas
Nikishin scores OT winner
CandyCanes
Caniac turned Jerkiac
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This kid is going to piss off a lot of NHL guys. Look forward to it
AhosDatsyukian
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I can't remember the last time I saw an NHL defenseman go for a body check in a situation like this. Nikishin does it regularly lol.
HisIceness
This is Hurricanes Hockey
I can see it now on the main boards.
Thread title: "Nikishin of Carolina DIRTY hit on John Smith.
Hit is like the one seen in video. "This is suspension worthy! Dirty team and player!"
cptjeff
Reprehensible User
I mean, I wouldn't be shocked if he winds up getting in trouble for that occasionally.
Or mind….a little chippiness in our lineup is good.
Svechhammer
THIS is hockey?
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Might be the quickest jersey buy I have once he comes over
Kid is gonna be an absolute star here
- Dec 6, 2011
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He seems to have pretty good control over his physical play but that might change with the NHL game at an even higher level. As long as he doesn't become full on Trouba or Tom Wilson, I'm gonna be happy to see him crushing dudes.
AhosDatsyukian
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Yep me too, instant we sign him officially I’m buying the jersey. I may be his biggest fan on this board
Trouba and Wilson are not the same. Trouba is a piece of shit who consistently targets players heads and chicken wings his elbow out. Wilson plays the game extremely hard and tough and occasionally crosses the line. I’m perfectly fine with Nikishin being like a Wilson, not Trouba. Fortunately he will never be like Trouba since he’s not a massive bitch
- Dec 6, 2011
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Yes, and even with them being different, I'd prefer he doesn't cross the line so much he gets massive suspensions on a handful of occasions, including getting suspended in the playoffs.
TheReelChuckFletcher
Former TheRillestPaulFenton; Harverd Alum
I don't particularly care if Nikishin plays like a tough guy or not in the NHL. If he can successfully become our next Cane-for-life franchise defenseman and keep our defensive train rolling even as Slavin gradually ages into a 2-to-4 guy, we'll be sitting pretty no matter what.
AhosDatsyukian
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Of course. I know this is an unpopular opinion but I think Wilson has been treated overly harshly by the league due to a reputation he didn't fully earn. But that's just me.
I expect Nikishin to bring his physical game over here and immediately step in as the biggest hitter in the league, but I don't think he will make that his identity here like those guys. He has enough skill and talent in all other aspects that he doesn't need to. He could completely eliminate the big hits from his game and still have the potential to be an elite all around 2-way 1D like a Hedman. The huge hits just add to that and there's no coach I trust more to help him find the right balance than RBA.
