I’d points are what matters, I’d take all the guys listed over him
Disclaimer that the above comment was coming from the guy who doesn’t see Nikishin having the ability to translate his game to NHL. Don’t see the concern with that at all.
For the OP asking for fantasy, Nikishin is very obviously the top pick here based on the parameters. I wouldn’t reach too far on him if you don’t have to, but he’s the only one on the list who will come over and immediately be given top minutes based on his age and experience - he’s playing top minutes in the KHL now, including PP1.
You only get him for 7 years so you’ll have him throughout his prime. The other players, and I’m thinking Simashev and Reinbacher, should both be fantastic, but your window is 18 to 25 years of age. From 23-24 and older, they may very well be better players than Nikishin, but you’d only have rights to that for a year or two. They are also on weaker teams to start. Nikishin gets a Carolina team with little in the way of offensive competition barring any further signings.