Prospect Info: #69(nice)OA - Hurricanes select LHD Alexander Nikishin (Spartak - KHL)

[chaz4hockey]

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.

 

[Bunch of Jurcos]

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?

 

[Remparts666]

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]

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

 

[WreckingCrew]

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

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]

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

I needed an excuse to drink at lunch. Thanks.

 

[cptjeff]

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

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.

 

[chaz4hockey]

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

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

 

[spockBokk]

Not a crazy idea but timing is off.

Orlov doesn't have a NT clause in his contract but please note TDL is 3/25. Plus, I don’t think we would get a good asset in return.

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]

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]

Not a crazy idea but timing is off.

Orlov doesn't have a NT clause in his contract but please note TDL is 3/25. Plus, I don’t think we would get a good asset in return.

I think the trade deadline would be 3/7 since it was 3/8 this year.

 

[spockBokk]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1851338219607974165

 

[LakeLivin]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1851338219607974165

That's so Borg!

(I'm gonna trademark that phrase)

 

[To Be Determined]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1851338219607974165

Time to buy tissue futures. Pants have been moved to "sell"

 

[bleedgreen]

I don’t think it’s a stretch to think he’d be a healthy scratch if all 6 current D are healthy AND he actually gets over here prior to the end of the regular season. I don’t see him displacing anyone on the blueline as long as they’re all healthy. Sure, if you want to get him in a few games at the end of the season, that’s great. Let a regular sit and rest. However, I think some expectations need to be tempered for him displacing anyone this season.

Next season, yeah, better hope he’s ready for top 4 duty as they say bye-bye to Orlov. There’s no reason to think he’s not capable of 2nd pair duty though. I just don’t see RBA displacing Orlov for him as long as Orlov is healthy and still under contract.

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.

 

[Chrispy]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1851338219607974165

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]

Nikishin will come over and be the Cam Ward of defenseman and make some huge plays in the POs.

 

[CandyCanes]

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