The wait is over: Nikishin is on the way

[tarheelhockey]

I don’t make many hype threads, but this story seems worth watching.

Alex Nikishin is widely viewed as the best prospect currently outside the NHL. Carolina has waited patiently after drafting him 69th (nice) in 2020, as he has been under KHL contract and ineligible to sign an NHL deal.

With SKA being eliminated by Dynamo today, Nikishin is officially NHL-eligible and expected to make his North American debut soon.

6’4” LHD, plays all situations, known for laying huge hits while also having an impact on the scoreboard. KHL record for points by a Russian-born defenseman. SKA all-time leader in defenseman scoring. Captained SKA (a team with Demidov, Kuznetsov, Grigorenko, DeAngelo, Zaitsev) as a 22-23 year old. Was traded to SKA for nine players.

If he comes as advertised, he has a Pronger-like profile. This could be one of the more interesting mid-season additions from the KHL, reminiscent of Panarin coming over in mid-April. Thought it would be worth a thread given the amount of lead-up to his debut.

 

[Steve Austin]

Carolina has waited patiently after drafting him 69th (nice) in 2020

 

[VaporTrail]

Ah yes, good ole Greg O'Renko

 

[ViD]

I have not seen any confirmation that he’s actually on the way to Raleigh

 

[HabzSauce]

Still undetermined but If SKA releases Nikishin that gives me hope they will also release Demidov.

Would be massive boost for CAR & MTL

 

[Big Daddy Cane]

It's not just the prospect that makes it interesting. Carolina is 7 years into a run as a playoff team. It's not 2019 anymore; Pesce, Hamilton and Faulk are gone, and Slavin is 30 (soon to be 31). This is a shot of high potential youth at a position of need at a time of need.

I think about Washington on a downward slope in the early 2010s. Kuznetsov comes over and the window reopens.

 

[Gurglesons]

Very excited to see what he can do for Carolina and eventually a Russian national team that is desperate for D.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

I have not seen any confirmation that he’s actually on the way to Raleigh

Still undetermined but If SKA releases Nikishin that gives me hope they will also release Demidov.

Would be massive boost for CAR & MTL

SOURCE: "Unlike Nikishin, Demidov Does Not Have This Option" – How Soon Ivan Demidov Can Join The Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens prospect Ivan Demidov’s contract doesn’t expire until May 31, 2025 and it doesn’t look like he’s going to be able to make the jump to the NHL this season

rg.org

While some players have been granted early exits to the NHL, such as Boston’s Marat Khusnutdinov last season, Demidov’s situation is different. SKA is actively trying to keep him in the fold beyond May 31.

Take Alexander Nikishin, the captain of the club and the top prospect of the Carolina Hurricanes. After his many years of service to the organization, his representatives and SKA have come to an agreement that he would be able to leave early to join the Carolina Hurricanes for the NHL Playoffs.

“Unlike Alexander Nikishin, whom SKA agreed to release early for the NHL, Demidov does not have this option due to his MHL eligibility,” said the source on the subject.

 

[HabzSauce]

I have not seen any confirmation that he’s actually on the way to Raleigh

SOURCE: "Unlike Nikishin, Demidov Does Not Have This Option" – How Soon Ivan Demidov Can Join The Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens prospect Ivan Demidov’s contract doesn’t expire until May 31, 2025 and it doesn’t look like he’s going to be able to make the jump to the NHL this season

rg.org

Sending him down is possibility but not confirmed either. I thought I read that rotenburg is supposed to meet with his bosses tmrw, we'll see if we get any news

 

[Ezpz]

He's not even the best prospect outside the NHL on his own team.

 

[shello]

Not sure he’s the best prospect outside the NHL, but I’d be hyped to see him come over regardless

 

[tarheelhockey]

He's not even the best prospect outside the NHL on his own team.

Uh, yes he absolutely is.

Edit: unless you mean SKA in which case I see your point. But the hype difference between these guys is the hype difference between a Montreal forward and a Carolina defenseman. They’re both top tier, blue chip prospects.

 

[HabsMD97]

It'll be interesting to see how his game translates offensively. Defensively, everyone on CAR has great numbers so i wouldn't be worried about that. His numbers took a big hit at the beginning of the year when DeAngelo joined the team and took offensive opportunities from him but bounced back after he left. I don't think people realize he's going to be in his mid-20s at the start of next year.

 

[CrashOut]

Uh, yes he absolutely is.

Edit: unless you mean SKA in which case I see your point. But the hype difference between these guys is the hype difference between a Montreal forward and a Carolina defenseman. They’re both top tier, blue chip prospects.

Yeah but naw. Anyone who followed SKA this season wouldn't say this. There is clearly a gap. If you wanna stretch it to the max and say they were equally good this season for SKA, Demidov did that 4 years younger.

Like, you could have make the same post without that hot take.

 

[chaz4hockey]

It'll be interesting to see how his game translates offensively. Defensively, everyone on CAR has great numbers so i wouldn't be worried about that. His numbers took a big hit at the beginning of the year when DeAngelo joined the team and took offensive opportunities from him but bounced back after he left. I don't think people realize he's going to be in his mid-20s at the start of next year.

FYI. He is 23 years old right now.

Canes let their d shoot and move in the zone plenty. It’s core to their system.

guys like Skjei have scored plenty under RBA’s system. also, Nikishin is light years better than TDA.

I’d add being voted best defense man should be something.

Btw: Artamonov who just turned 19 had more goals this year than your draft pick.

Final note on Nikishin. He just played 29, 37 and 29 minutes the last 3 games. He will need to stop in the Greek isles or singapore for a little R&R Before heading over to Raleigh.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Yeah but naw. Anyone who followed SKA this season wouldn't say this. There is clearly a gap. If you wanna stretch it to the max and say they were equally good this season for SKA, Demidov did that 4 years younger.

Like, you could have make the same post without that hot take.

4 years younger is a normal gap when comparing a forward to a defenseman.

Look, Nikishin is hands-down the best D prospect outside the league, right? Let’s say for the sake of argument that Demidov is the best F prospect (inevitably someone will object, but ignore that for now). Comparing the top F prospect to the top D prospect, what’s the basis for projecting a gap between them in their NHL career? Yes there will always be more visibility and hype around the forward, that’s just how it goes, but it’s fully likely that the D is the better player. We’ll see when they get here.

As to the idea that it’s a “hot take”, the last thread asking who is the best player outside the NHL is a little over a year old:

Thread 'Who is the Best Prospect Not Currently in the NHL?'

Dec 8, 2023

Nearing 1/3 through a lot of seasons, which prospect(s) is/are playing the best that aren’t currently on NHL rosters?

• Hazy Little Thing
• Replies: 59
• Forum: NHL Draft - Prospects

Nikishin’s all over that thread, and the guys mentioned more than him (Michkov, Celebrini, Hutson) were all in the league this season. Nikishin didn’t fall off since then. It’s just been a slow burn of waiting for him to get here for 5 years.

Edit: found another from last month. Again, Nikishin is all over the thread as a common choice for #1 and he’s specifically compared to Demidov with reasons given for choosing one or the other. This idea that there’s a gap between them is clearly not consensus.

Thread 'Who's the best player outside the NHL'

Mar 15, 2025

U25 only.

My top5

Nikishin
Shabanov
Gritsyuk
Aimurzin
Demidov/Buchelnikov

Yeah, all are from the KHL, because the transition from the KHL to NHL usually goes the smoothest way (look at Michkov, Voronkov and Tsyplakov, who played in the "terrible KHL" and still made the big league).

• Kshahdoo
• Replies: 62
• Forum: NHL Draft - Prospects

• 
• 

As for how it plays out once they get here… that’s the point of the thread. Highly ranked KHL transfers are always interesting and this one has a chance at impacting the playoff balance of power.

 

[BluesyShoes]

Pretty hyped for this as a neutral fan. Could be one of those unicorn type players.

 

[Kshahdoo]

He has everything: size, skills, skating, shot, IQ. One of the best hitters in hockey as well. Let's see the transition between the leagues.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Who was the last player who came over from the KHL and produced up to the hype in the NHL? It's been years.

I mean grebenkin had 41 points in 67 games last year and this year was in the AHL at 0/5 PPG

 

[Toby91ca]

Yeah but naw. Anyone who followed SKA this season wouldn't say this. There is clearly a gap. If you wanna stretch it to the max and say they were equally good this season for SKA, Demidov did that 4 years younger.

Like, you could have make the same post without that hot take.

I haven’t seen a single second of their games with SKA, not even sure how to follow it I wanted to, but pure stat watching, Nikishin is producing the same offense as a Dman…can the gap really be that clear?

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Damn, he was captain of SKA as a 21-22-23 year old? That’s impressive.

 

[DaveG]

Who was the last player who came over from the KHL and produced up to the hype in the NHL? It's been years.

I mean grebenkin had 41 points in 67 games last year and this year was in the AHL at 0/5 PPG

I mean the last guy that was in a similar situation with a similar level of hype turned out pretty damn well

 

[ItWasJustified]

I thought I read that rotenburg is supposed to meet with his bosses tmrw

I don't think Rotenberg really has bosses. More like equals. Make no mistake, the decision if Demidov goes to Montreal during this season or next is probably 99% his to make.

 

[HBK27]

If SKA allows Nikishin to come over now, have to figure that is also the case for Gritsyuk to NJ and the two teammates face each other in the opening round of the playoffs.

 

[WarriorofTime]

SKA has little reason to hold these guys hostage when it's apparent they are leaving. But I suppose you never know with that Rotenberg