The wait is over: Nikishin is on the way

[StreetHawk]

Nikishin was drafted in 2020 with a late birthday, so born in 2001. 23 which puts him at a 2 year ELC. So, if he were to sign with CAR now, he would burn year 1?
Only other question with regards to his availability is whether he's committed to play at the Worlds and thus doesn't sign right away. Or would need to be out by rd 2 to join the team late.

 

[vHAB]

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

How good is Chatfield? I'm legitimately asking, I don't watch much Canes games so I'm just curious.

 

[tarheelhockey]

How good is Chatfield? I'm legitimately asking, I don't watch much Canes games so I'm just curious.

Solid middle pair guy. Low upside and you don’t want him logging big minutes or anything, but he’s a decently well rounded role player.

 

[Giant Panda]

I'm excited to see him in the NHL.

I have him as my 4th best d prospect outside of the NHL right now, behind ASP, Hutson, and Buium. I have a couple forwards ahead of him, Sennecke being one. None of those guys are as NHL ready.

I feel he steps in and becomes an instant top 4, I don't think his ceiling is quite as high as others. I'm a bit more bullish on him being an instant number 1, I think his ceiling is below that.

Then again, I seem to be wrong on KHL prospects more often than any other right now.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Canes fans will love this guy, he is going to be a great player for a very long time

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

How good is Chatfield? I'm legitimately asking, I don't watch much Canes games so I'm just curious.

IMO a slightly above average 2nd pair RHD with a great cap hit for what he contributes, but as mentioned already not much upside, especially offensively.

 

[BrindAmours Army]

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?

Oh hey, I think this is the first time I get to use my work experience on HF hah.

While many Russian individuals and industries are sanctioned, Russia is not sanctioned in the same way that Iran and North Korea are.

Barring individual exceptions that need to be approved, no US entity can do business with any Iranian or North Korean individual or entity.

The owner of SKA is not subject to sanctions, and I don't believe SKA is either (haven't checked), so there would not be any legal restriction on sending the owner of SKA some money. Would just need to use a bank that isn't sanctioned.

Though I'm not sure if teams/owners actually require players to buy out their contracts. But if SKA required the Canes to send some money, it should not be impacted by US sanctions (though, I have not worked in the sanctions space since last year, so something may have changed).

 

[DaveG]

I'm excited to see him in the NHL.

I have him as my 4th best d prospect outside of the NHL right now, behind ASP, Hutson, and Buium. I have a couple forwards ahead of him, Sennecke being one. None of those guys are as NHL ready.

I feel he steps in and becomes an instant top 4, I don't think his ceiling is quite as high as others. I'm a bit more bullish on him being an instant number 1, I think his ceiling is below that.

Then again, I seem to be wrong on KHL prospects more often than any other right now.

semantics, but that would be bearish, bullish is the opposite where you'd be pumping the kids tires as coming over and being capable of being a #1 almost immediately.

 

[Michoulicious]

Is he on the way? Rottenburg said last week that he feels both Demidov and Nikishin should stay in Russia.

Doesn't feel like someone that is willing to let them off the hook before the end of May.

Edit: Rumor has it Gritsyuk signs, so there's hope!

 

[Giant Panda]

Oh hey, I think this is the first time I get to use my work experience on HF hah.

While many Russian individuals and industries are sanctioned, Russia is not sanctioned in the same way that Iran and North Korea are.

Barring individual exceptions that need to be approved, no US entity can do business with any Iranian or North Korean individual or entity.

The owner of SKA is not subject to sanctions, and I don't believe SKA is either (haven't checked), so there would not be any legal restriction on sending the owner of SKA some money. Would just need to use a bank that isn't sanctioned.

Though I'm not sure if teams/owners actually require players to buy out their contracts. But if SKA required the Canes to send some money, it should not be impacted by US sanctions (though, I have not worked in the sanctions space since last year, so something may have changed).

I thought SKA was owned by Gennady Timchenko who is under sanctions? That would make it illegal to wire money.

Also, its against NHL rules for clubs to send transfers for player rights.

 

[tarheelhockey]

semantics, but that would be bearish, bullish is the opposite where you'd be pumping the kids tires as coming over and being capable of being a #1 almost immediately.

Can’t imagine why this distinction comes so quickly to mind…

 

[tarheelhockey]

Is he on the way? Rottenburg said last week that he feels both Demidov and Nikishin should stay in Russia.

Doesn't feel like someone that is willing to let them off the hook before the end of May.

Edit: Rumor has it Gritsyuk signs, so there's hope!

The understanding is that Nikishin has an agreement with the organization to be released early.

Of course, nothing is certain until the ink is dry. So we are waiting to find out.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

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.

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?

Nikishin is averaging about 11 min more of ice time per game than Demidov (24:29 vs 13:45). He's getting almost double the ice time of Demidov each game.

 

[Leafs87]

Awesome, how long till he can bounce from Carolina?

 

[Gustave]

Gritsyuk and Bardakov will sign with their respective teams. Looking good for Nikishin, waiting for movement on Demidov.

SKA is a very popular hub of negotiation right now.

 

[Remparts666]

Nikishin was drafted in 2020 with a late birthday, so born in 2001. 23 which puts him at a 2 year ELC. So, if he were to sign with CAR now, he would burn year 1?
Only other question with regards to his availability is whether he's committed to play at the Worlds and thus doesn't sign right away. Or would need to be out by rd 2 to join the team late.

Are you sure he would be on a 2 year ELC? Can someone else confirm that? People on the Canes board seem to think he'd be an RFA this summer if he were to sign now.

 

[Sting]

Nikishin is averaging about 11 min more of ice time per game than Demidov (24:29 vs 13:45). He's getting almost double the ice time of Demidov each game.

Well, #1, he's a d-man, so understandable. #2, maybe he's a better player.

 

[SirPaste]

Awesome, cant wait to see what he can do in the NHL

 

[StreetHawk]

Are you sure he would be on a 2 year ELC? Can someone else confirm that? People on the Canes board seem to think he'd be an RFA this summer if he were to sign now.

I believe the NHL uses the Sept 15 cutoff to determine age of player at signing.

So, he's going to be 23 by Sept 15 still, so players who are 22-23 need to sign a 2 year ELC. 24 and up a 1 year ELC.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Awesome, how long till he can bounce from Carolina?

He will likely want to return to Russia after their last game in mid-June.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

I have a feeling SKA will hold Nikushin / Gritsyuk and Demidov to the May 31 contract end date. Just to make a point.

 

[Mr Nogatco]

Why’d this guy last until the 3rd round? Late bloomer? Seems like he checks a lot of boxes

 

[Clam Jensen]

Loving the Nikishin/Grits Rd1 subplot

 

[Random Comment]

I'm excited to see him in the NHL.

I have him as my 4th best d prospect outside of the NHL right now, behind ASP, Hutson, and Buium. I have a couple forwards ahead of him, Sennecke being one. None of those guys are as NHL ready.

I feel he steps in and becomes an instant top 4, I don't think his ceiling is quite as high as others. I'm a bit more bullish on him being an instant number 1, I think his ceiling is below that.

Then again, I seem to be wrong on KHL prospects more often than any other right now.

That’s an incredible take imo. He has the whole package and excels at everything. Huge and accurate snap and slap shot. Wristers that he can get through traffic. Excellent first pass. Decent puck handling skills. Skates like the wind. Very physical. Great gap control. High IQ.

He has 1st pairing minute munching do everything potential. I love Seider as an example, but he’s a notch above him. And I’d take Seider over any of those D you mention.

Nikishin is and will be a unicorn in the NHL. Happy to be wrong about that.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Why’d this guy last until the 3rd round? Late bloomer? Seems like he checks a lot of boxes

He didn’t break out offensively until well after the draft. At the time of the draft, he went goalless in 29 KHL games (bearing in mind this is an 18yo defenseman playing against veteran pros) so there wasn’t a whole lot of upside on display.