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

 

[Nikishin al Gaib]

 

[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.

 

[Finlandia WOAT]

That's the bog standard response for any player with an upcoming contract

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

Yeah that’s exactly what I’d expect him to say even if he already has decided to come over.

I’ve said it here before but I’m not 100% sure he comes over this year, I think it’s like 90-95% but not 100%. He’s spoken a ton for years now about wanting to win a Gagarin Cup and said many times how he wanted to keep developing in the K. I’m like 99.9% sure he’ll be here eventually but I do think there’s a (very) slim chance he re-ups with SKA for a year and we have to wait. I really hope not but until I see him signed I have a tiny bit of doubt

 

[robbieberns]

A player of his caliber is not going to postpone his NHL arrival. He’s got the chance to be a legitimate difference maker on a squad that’s always in the Stanley Cup conversation. Even if it’s purely financial, any year he pushes back is a year of prime years NHL salary he’s taking away from himself. Genuinely the only thing that’s a toss up is if he comes over ASAP or in the summer.

You know how for your first high school job at McDonalds they ask you at your interview why you to work there and you have to make something up on the spot? Or how the summer warehouse job you work while you’re in between years of college keeps talking about loyalty and buying in and being part of a family so you just smile and lie through your teeth? Sometimes you just do the song and dance when all parties know it’s BS.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

2 goals today in a 7-2 loss. SKA has been really struggling and I think there's a good chance they are out in the first round of the playoffs. 6-7 weeks from now we could potentially have Nikishin on this team...

 

[Kshahdoo]

Since DeAngelo left the team he's been tearing up the league. Another 3 point game today, 4th in 2025, he's 25 points in 21 games since the New Year.

 

[Nikishin al Gaib]

We are officially on Nikishin Watch, yall



They also represent Jalen Chatfield, William Carrier, Taylor Hall, Riley Skinner and Spencer Martin

For non-Canes, some notables they represent are Mitch Marner, Sam Bennett, Joel Edmundson, and Michael Bunting. Seems to be an agency we have worked very well with in the past.

 

[chaz4hockey]

We are officially on Nikishin Watch, yall



They also represent Jalen Chatfield, William Carrier, Taylor Hall, Riley Skinner and Spencer Martin

For non-Canes, some notables they represent are Mitch Marner, Sam Bennett, Joel Edmundson, and Michael Bunting. Seems to be an agency we have worked very well with in the past.

Ah, explains Carrier deal and other Canes. Got to keep this agent happy.

 

[Borsig]

Since DeAngelo left the team he's been tearing up the league. Another 3 point game today, 4th in 2025, he's 25 points in 21 games since the New Year.

Again, he was fine next to Slavin, and probably better than 2025 Burns. Not sorry. But he probably wont be back, nor do we really have space for him.

He did have issues in SKA I think.

 

[CanesUltimate11]

Again, he was fine next to Slavin, and probably better than 2025 Burns. Not sorry. But he probably wont be back, nor do we really have space for him.

He did have issues in SKA I think.

SKA doesn't have Slavin obviously

 

[Unsustainable]

We are officially on Nikishin Watch, yall



They also represent Jalen Chatfield, William Carrier, Taylor Hall, Riley Skinner and Spencer Martin

For non-Canes, some notables they represent are Mitch Marner, Sam Bennett, Joel Edmundson, and Michael Bunting. Seems to be an agency we have worked very well with in the past.

While signing him, hey Mr Agent, keep us in mind, weve got 36m in space

 

[WreckingCrew]

We are officially on Nikishin Watch, yall



They also represent Jalen Chatfield, William Carrier, Taylor Hall, Riley Skinner and Spencer Martin

For non-Canes, some notables they represent are Mitch Marner, Sam Bennett, Joel Edmundson, and Michael Bunting. Seems to be an agency we have worked very well with in the past.

Mitch Marner & Sam Bennett would be decent UFA pickups IMHO

 

[MinJaBen]

Mitch Marner & Sam Bennett would be decent UFA pickups IMHO

I like the idea of Bennett. Not sure I want the organization paying $14M to an undersized winger.

 

[Bub]

I like the idea of Bennett. Not sure I want the organization paying $14M to an undersized winger.

Hear me out: what about a combined $14M to a handful of undersized wingers?

 

[robbieberns]

Bennett and Ehlers for me.

Ehlers - Aho - Jarvis
Svech - Bennett - Stank