The wait is over: Nikishin is on the way

[Fatass]

Pronger? So this guy is not only big and skilled with very high hockey smarts, but he’s a mean SOB too?

 

[tarheelhockey]

Pronger? So this guy is not only big and skilled with very high hockey smarts, but he’s a mean SOB too?

That’s the scouting report. Huge lean frame, big hitter, all situations player, plus the offensive production of a decent forward.

Obviously all of that won’t translate directly to the NHL, certainly not right away, but he’s got that do-everything profile of a Pronger or Doughty.

 

[Fatass]

That’s the scouting report. Huge lean frame, big hitter, all situations player, plus the offensive production of a decent forward.

Obviously all of that won’t translate directly to the NHL, certainly not right away, but he’s got that do-everything profile of a Pronger or Doughty.

Pronger was exceptionally mean. Is this guy mean? Pronger was a level above physical.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Pronger was exceptionally mean. Is this guy mean? Pronger was a level above physical.

Yes I get that. At 23 Pronger was also exceptionally dumb. Is this guy dumb enough to compare?

Some of this stuff we won’t know for sure till we see him in the league.

 

[GIN ANTONIC]

Pronger was exceptionally mean. Is this guy mean? Pronger was a level above physical.

Why don't you go watch some of his video reels and then you can decide for yourself

 

[hamzarocks]

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.

When did Nikishin become the best D-prospect in the world?

I thought that was Schaefer or dupont at the moment?

Nikishin is more ready than those two but Schaefer is projected top 3 in this draft and Dupont is early 1OA in 2027

Would think they are more highly regarded and better prospects than Nikishin LT.

Nikishin is likely the most NHL ready prospect as hes 23/24 and can be a top pairing guy quickly if he adjusts to NHL game as expected. Just ceiling wise he isnt the best D prospect imo

 

[landy]

Who?

KHL guys are so hit or miss. Extreme Panarin/Kaprisov examples or Gusev/Kuzmenko. I hope he is great, but im done with the hype until they prove it.

 

[Sting]

Since this thread is getting bombarded with Demidov comments, lets keep in mind that Nikishin essentially equalled Demigod's point total as a d-man. Yeah we can get past the age thing but as a d-man, Nikishin basically tied the leading forward's point total on his team in a men's league.

His size makes him projectable as a potential #1 in the NHL I'd say.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Who?

KHL guys are so hit or miss. Extreme Panarin/Kaprisov examples or Gusev/Kuzmenko. I hope he is great, but im done with the hype until they prove it.

Well, check out what LA fans think about Kuz...

 

[GIN ANTONIC]

When did Nikishin become the best D-prospect in the world?

I thought that was Schaefer or dupont at the moment?

Nikishin is more ready than those two but Schaefer is projected top 3 in this draft and Dupont is early 1OA in 2027

Would think they are more highly regarded and better prospects than Nikishin LT.

Nikishin is likely the most NHL ready prospect as hes 23/24 and can be a top pairing guy quickly if he adjusts to NHL game as expected. Just ceiling wise he isnt the best D prospect imo

Good lord... comparing Nikishin to non-drafted players. What in the world...

 

[GIN ANTONIC]

Who?

KHL guys are so hit or miss. Extreme Panarin/Kaprisov examples or Gusev/Kuzmenko. I hope he is great, but im done with the hype until they prove it.

If you're saying 'who' because you've never heard of him then that's extremely telling of your lack of hockey knowledge/awareness

 

[Fatass]

Yes I get that. At 23 Pronger was also exceptionally dumb. Is this guy dumb enough to compare?

Some of this stuff we won’t know for sure till we see him in the league.

Pronger’s hockey iq was always off the charts.
I understand making comparisons on a physical level (they’re both tall and slim) and adding smooth skating and soft hands. But Pronger was meaner than mean. Imo it was a combination of his size, skill, smarts, and mean that made him unique.

 

[tarheelhockey]

When did Nikishin become the best D-prospect in the world?

I thought that was Schaefer or dupont at the moment?

Nikishin is more ready than those two but Schaefer is projected top 3 in this draft and Dupont is early 1OA in 2027

Would think they are more highly regarded and better prospects than Nikishin LT.

Nikishin is likely the most NHL ready prospect as hes 23/24 and can be a top pairing guy quickly if he adjusts to NHL game as expected. Just ceiling wise he isnt the best D prospect imo

Yes, of course I meant he’s literally the best player right now. You’re comparing a 23 year old who’s been captaining a team of men while leading a professional league in D scoring to a 15 year old. There’s no argument that the 15 year old is the better player.

 

[wetcoast]

When did Nikishin become the best D-prospect in the world?

I thought that was Schaefer or dupont at the moment?

Nikishin is more ready than those two but Schaefer is projected top 3 in this draft and Dupont is early 1OA in 2027

Would think they are more highly regarded and better prospects than Nikishin LT.

Nikishin is likely the most NHL ready prospect as hes 23/24 and can be a top pairing guy quickly if he adjusts to NHL game as expected. Just ceiling wise he isnt the best D prospect imo

Nikishin has/had that title because he is NHL ready and yes I think Schaefer is the best long term prospect and Dupont as well but Dupont is 15 and not drafted just like Schaefer.

Also ceiling wise Nikishin is a #1 dman type that is made for playoff hockey with size and hitting, the complete package.

If he was a Habs/Leafs prospect there would be literally 10000 posts about him on these boards.

 

[57special]

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.

I'll trade you Merrill, Chisholm, Bogosian, Trenin, Shore, Brazeau, Hartman, Jones, and Gaunce for him.

 

[ViD]

Who?

KHL guys are so hit or miss. Extreme Panarin/Kaprisov examples or Gusev/Kuzmenko. I hope he is great, but im done with the hype until they prove it.

There’s nothing wrong with Gusev nor Kuzmenko especially considering they were never drafted

 

[tarheelhockey]

Pronger’s hockey iq was always off the charts.

Sell that to someone who didn’t watch him in Hartford. Young Pronger was an athletic specimen but also jaw-droppingly stupid at times.

And it’s not like he ever really grew out of it. In 2007 alone he put his team in jeopardy of losing both the WCF and the Finals with mindless suspensions. It doesn’t get lower-IQ than that.

I understand making comparisons on a physical level (they’re both tall and slim) and adding smooth skating and soft hands. But Pronger was meaner than mean. Imo it was a combination of his size, skill, smarts, and mean that made him unique.

Again, we’ll see. Nikishin has been a physical menace in the KHL. But the KHL is not the NHL. We know he’ll knock guys into next week if given the chance, but we don’t know how he’ll respond to the constant scrumming, higher tolerance for cheap shots, regular fighting, etc. I doubt he’ll run around unhinged like a Pronger or Wilson, but that doesn’t mean he won’t play a mean game.

 

[Unsustainable]

 

[hamzarocks]

Yes, of course I meant he’s literally the best player right now. You’re comparing a 23 year old who’s been captaining a team of men while leading a professional league in D scoring to a 15 year old. There’s no argument that the 15 year old is the better player.

You said prospect not drafted prospect which is why I commented.

2013 Connor Mcdavid was a more valuable and desired asset than a 2013 Ryan Johansen for example even though both were prospects/non full time NHLers

Of course neither Schaefer nor Dupont will be Mcdavid but the distinction for the 23-year old should be he's the best drafted d-man in the world not playing in the NHL (this would have him over very highly ranked prospects in Parekh, Buuim, Dickinson, Yak, etc, who he likely is better than now at 23)

A few undrafted/up and coming guys will be likely more valuable and desired than him but he will ofcourse be better until they hit off in the NHL.

Its probably an anal way of discussion, but just my 2 cents

 

[hamzarocks]

Nikishin has/had that title because he is NHL ready and yes I think Schaefer is the best long term prospect and Dupont as well but Dupont is 15 and not drafted just like Schaefer.

Also ceiling wise Nikishin is a #1 dman type that is made for playoff hockey with size and hitting, the complete package.

If he was a Habs/Leafs prospect there would be literally 10000 posts about him on these boards.

Nikishin has been very hyped for years now. Hes been talked about and known for 3+ years at this point.

He gets ranked very highly on yearly prospect threads. So he isnt underrated more so underdiscussed as there aren't as many Carolina posters as MTL/TOR.

And for sure Nikishin can be a #1D, my comment was he should be a #2/3D as a rookie (next year if/when he plays) as I doubt he's a better player than Slavin just next season where there will be a period of transitioning to the NHL game/NA hockey for a bit and also lesser opportunities offensively compared to his prime.

By age 25/26 he should be a top 10-15D in the league

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

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.

I've crunched the numbers on this and can confirm the math checks out

 

[tarheelhockey]

You said prospect not drafted prospect which is why I commented.

2013 Connor Mcdavid was a more valuable and desired asset than a 2013 Ryan Johansen for example even though both were prospects/non full time NHLers

Of course neither Schaefer nor Dupont will be Mcdavid but the distinction for the 23-year old should be he's the best drafted d-man in the world not playing in the NHL (this would have him over very highly ranked prospects in Parekh, Buuim, Dickinson, Yak, etc, who he likely is better than now at 23)

A few undrafted/up and coming guys will be likely more valuable and desired than him but he will ofcourse be better until they hit off in the NHL.

Its probably an anal way of discussion, but just my 2 cents

Honestly I think it’s pretty obvious what I meant.

Among prospects not currently playing in the NHL, he is widely viewed as the best player currently.

I assume everyone realized that I wasn’t saying he’s a better prospect than the next several #1OA picks.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

He is definitely one of the best prospects not yet in the NHL I can agree with that.

Going to be a big boost to the Carolina Hurricanes.

 

[Nikishin al Gaib]

Nikishin has been very hyped for years now. Hes been talked about and known for 3+ years at this point.

He gets ranked very highly on yearly prospect threads. So he isnt underrated more so underdiscussed as there aren't as many Carolina posters as MTL/TOR.

And for sure Nikishin can be a #1D, my comment was he should be a #2/3D as a rookie (next year if/when he plays) as I doubt he's a better player than Slavin just next season where there will be a period of transitioning to the NHL game/NA hockey for a bit and also lesser opportunities offensively compared to his prime.

By age 25/26 he should be a top 10-15D in the league

To me its a little crazy to think that with Morrow and Nikishin projected to have full time spots in the lineup next year, not only should our defense get a bit better from where it has been, but also get very young very fast. Ages on Opening Day next year...

Gostisbehere - 32
Slavin - 31
Walker - 30
Chatfield - 29
Nikishin - 23
Morrow - 22

Between Slavin, Chatfield, Nikishin and Morrow, that very easily could be the core of the Canes defense for the next decade or so.

 

[qcal1427]

Legit question here: heard a lot about no transfer agreement and teams buying guys out of their deals in Russia soccer-style (especially with Michkov, sounds like it's a possibility for Nikishin as well). 1) Is this actually what teams do to get someone over before their contract is up and 2) if it is how is it possibly legal with current US sanctions?