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

[Stickpucker]

Hes more like Kronwall with a scoring touch.

Kronwall was a poor man's Pronger with less scoring touch.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

Hes more like Kronwall with a scoring touch.

His physicality is very Kronwall but he’s a better defender and skater than Kronwall was

 

[Svechhammer]

 

[hblueridgegal]

“I Have No Idea What’s Going to Happen”: Alexander Nikishin on His Future, the NHL, and Tony DeAngelo’s KHL Stint

Carolina Hurricanes prospect Alexander Nikishin remains focused on SKA, but will he make the NHL jump once his KHL contract expires?

rg.org

According to Carolina Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky, the Canes will be looking to sign him to an entry-level contract as soon as his KHL contract expires. The Hurricanes only have a couple of defensemen signed beyond this season and, with Carolina looking to sign newly acquired star forward Mikko Rantanen to a big extension, any cost-controlled asset will be of major value to Tulsky and co.

That being said, Nikishin hasn’t exactly been direct about his intentions moving forward, choosing instead to focus on his club’s quest for the Gagarin Cup and what’s in front of him right now.

“I have no idea what’s going to happen even a month from now. Thinking that far ahead is just asking to be laughed at,” Nikishin said in an exclusive interview with RG.

Nikishin also mentioned that he hasn’t communicated very often with the Hurricanes and GM Eric Tulsky during this season, nor has he had any contact with team owner, Tom Dundon.

“I don’t see the point in frequent calls. Occasionally, sure, but why all the time? I’m focused on my work here with SKA,” explained Nikishin.

 

[chaz4hockey]

“I Have No Idea What’s Going to Happen”: Alexander Nikishin on His Future, the NHL, and Tony DeAngelo’s KHL Stint

Carolina Hurricanes prospect Alexander Nikishin remains focused on SKA, but will he make the NHL jump once his KHL contract expires?

rg.org

I think his approach is smart from 2 fronts:

1) Demonstrates loyalty/focus to the current team that is employing him
2) May pave the way for the team to allow him to early term the contract after the KHL post-season is complete, versus running until May 31st (that pathway gets him to the Canes during our post-season run).

 

[spockBokk]

Personally, I think it’d be better for Nikishin to not get into game action this season, contractually. If he gets signed and plays, he potentially burns year 1 of his ELC and the Canes only have 1yr of ELC left before they have to pay him and you also would have Blake and Morrow due for new deals then too.

Seems much easier to start his ELC in 25-26. Who knows though, if you have to burn a yr to get him over and signed, you do it.

 

[Big Daddy Cane]

He'd be more expensive in 26-27. At the same time, the 8 year post-ELC extension the organization probably wants may be cheaper starting in 26-27 (3 RFA years remaining) rather than 27-28 (2 RFA years remaining).

 

[Rad ChaLose]

“I Have No Idea What’s Going to Happen”: Alexander Nikishin on His Future, the NHL, and Tony DeAngelo’s KHL Stint

Carolina Hurricanes prospect Alexander Nikishin remains focused on SKA, but will he make the NHL jump once his KHL contract expires?

rg.org

Sounds just like a Russian player currently playing in the KHL. We should expect nothing more from him until the ink is dry.