The wait is over: Nikishin is on the way

[Ekiru]

I didn’t even catch that it wasn’t even his NHL agent making the comments. So this is a guy whose only incentive is to get Nikishin back to Russia.

That also provides some meaningful context to the whole “this affects all NHL teams” schtick. Trying to get as many eyeballs as possible.

I dont believe it matters whos agent it is; Nikishin likely doesnt want to play in the A, and why should he? Prospects of his caliber before him havent and going forward likely wont

Youre probably right that this is more smoke than fire but Carolina would do best to keep their hands away from the logs

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

I think Canes are handling Nikishin properly getting him accustomed to their play style and acclimated to NHL speed though Canes practices. As importantly, giving Nikishin a practice window & not putting him directly into the cauldron of playoff hockey will work out better for Nikishin in the long run.

FWIW: Demidov played well versus Chicago but NHL playoff hockey against good teams is a much more challenging environment. He has been a complete non-factor the first 2 games against a high level Caps playoff team with a -2 and no shots in 24 minutes of action .

I suspect RBA will get Nikishin in the lineup with either an injury and/or more practice time.

Nikishin is 23 years old, and Demidov is 19. They are on a completely different stage of development. Nikishin shouldn't need as much time to adjust.

Nikshin will definitely not be acclimated to NHL playoffs speed through practices. We're talking about practices here... A KHL regular season game is far more faster than an NHL practice.

 

[chaz4hockey]

Nikishin is 23 years old, and Demidov is 19. They are on a completely different stage of development. Nikishin shouldn't need as much time to adjust.

Nikshin will definitely not be acclimated to NHL playoffs speed through practices. We're talking about practices here... A KHL regular season game is far more faster than an NHL practice.

Regardless of age, due to Canes system, practice time with the Canes is important (which are "fast" practices...it's how they roll).

Even a Montreal great such Chelios got in 12 games plus plenty of practice time before he played in the '84 playoffs (and as I recall, had a challenge with the Islanders).

I'd close by saying, the Canes are not in the same stage as the Canadians that feel a need to play their young players.

Although a transition year, Canes believe they have a shot to go far whereas the Canadians are just happy to have made the playoffs (ie similar to Canes first in 2018-9 season). As you must realize, it's not always to the players benefit to play before you are ready ( ie Kotkaniemi )

 

[Sasha Orlov]

I think Canes are handling Nikishin properly getting him accustomed to their play style and acclimated to NHL speed though Canes practices. As importantly, giving Nikishin a practice window & not putting him directly into the cauldron of playoff hockey will work out better for Nikishin in the long run.

FWIW: Demidov played well versus Chicago but NHL playoff hockey against good teams is a much more challenging environment. He has been a complete non-factor the first 2 games against a high level Caps playoff team with a -2 and no shots in 24 minutes of action .

I suspect RBA will get Nikishin in the lineup with either an injury and/or more practice time.

How is he practicing if he hasn’t signed?

 

[chaz4hockey]

How is he practicing if he hasn’t signed?

As the story goes, Canes got approval from the League. But....

 

[Sombastate]

seems to be a really weird situation all and all

 

[Woodrow]

The wait continues.

 

[Mobiandi]

Can Carolina’s front office do anything right?

 

[Finlandia WOAT]

"The Hurricanes are in the news, that's a good thing."

Tom Dundon's most evergreen quote

 

[ViD]

It’s an agent being an agent, making comments with the media in mind. He wants his guy on the ice.

The team is completely healthy and winning playoff games. Nikishin will draw in when there’s a reason to do so.

What’s the point of bringing him in now ? Should’ve let the guy enjoy his off season and arrive in September

 

[Clint Eastwood]

Tom Dundon with literally everything Carolina related:

 

[ItWasJustified]

Can Carolina’s front office do anything right?

Eric Tulsky IS the smartest guy in the room!

 

[POVERTY]

Can the Devils win a game or two so I can see this kid play? Surely the ghost of Brent Burns isn't contributing meaningfully, is he?

 

[Canovin]

Might want to change the title to: Nikishin is on the way out of Carolina

 

[Finlandia WOAT]

What’s the point of bringing him in now ? Should’ve let the guy enjoy his off season and arrive in September

I'd guess he wants to burn a year of his ELC and get to big money faster

 

[spockBokk]

It seems the Canes have issues with every stinking contract negotiation, trade...As a fan it's exhausting. Just get the player SPC done.

 

[Garbageyuk]

Wow things went bad fast. Not surprising to see the Canes dicking him around, I just didn’t think it would be immediately after landing in NA.

This org f***ed up the Rantanen trade, dicked around Necas which led to the aforementioned trade in the first place, did the same thing to Aho which led to the offer sheet, etc.

Joke of an organization. Dundon really seems to have a peculiar disdain for star players.

 

[Sasso09]

I have my doubt on Nikishin being the named 3nd best NHL affiliated prospect. Seems like he has stalled production wise the past 3 years.
He will be good but not quite as much as people are predicting. My prediction is for a 40 pts 2nd pair D-man.

40 pt 2nd pair? for what? an all-star team?

How many 6'4" 220 lb 40 point defensemen who actually play defense do you know that are playing 2nd pair on an NHL team?

 

[Sasso09]

You don't think he could be a top 10 D right away? He's going to be 24 years old when the next season start. And with plenty of experience in a pro league.

No, he'll need time to adjust. There's soo many great defenseman in this league. I expect Nikishin to be top 20 starting the 26-27 season

 

[eojsmada]

Tulsky doing Tulsky things. He must be longing for his spreadsheet days again, at this point.

 

[NVious]

I saw him talking to this Finnish guy, he kept calling him "moose" which I thought was weird, anyways at the end of it the Finnish dude gave him a rolex and told him "execute the plan." Do with this information what you will.

 

[Pavels Dog]

I saw him talking to this Finnish guy, he kept calling him "moose" which I thought was weird, anyways at the end of it the Finnish dude gave him a rolex and told him "execute the plan." Do with this information what you will.

Can confirm, I was the rolex

 

[tarheelhockey]

I dont believe it matters whos agent it is; Nikishin likely doesnt want to play in the A, and why should he? Prospects of his caliber before him havent and going forward likely wont

Youre probably right that this is more smoke than fire but Carolina would do best to keep their hands away from the logs

They’re not talking about assigning him to the A for a season. It’s a matter of having a completely healthy D group so there’s no spot for him to slot into. Who are they going to send to the press box in order to play a rookie — Ghost? Chatfield? Walker? Orlov? Those aren’t pressbox players, they’re all solid second pair talent where Chatfield is the junior member with 250 games under his belt.

So they’re holding on to see if it makes sense to send him to the A for a handful of games as a matter of conditioning, rather than have him continue to be a black ace eating popcorn.

The only person in a position to yap about this is the KHL agent, who sees an opening to entice a high-paying customer back to his agency. Nikishin is not the one making noise here. He’s the guy in the room with Tulsky and RBA, and if he isn’t completely naive he understands that this was always going to be about slotting in for someone’s injury situation. It’s a sideshow drama.

 

[HabsMD97]

Not to worry, Carolina simply needed to wait for the playoff revenue to trickle in so they could gather enough funds to sign him. Should get done soon now.

 

[Uncle Scrooge]

It's pretty clear the Canes wanted him to come over A) to get used to the environment so he's a bit more comfortable next season and B) for playoff depth

Right now they don't need him and don't want to sign the contract so he can keep shape playing some AHL games. But if a regular gets hurt he's definitely gonna be in.

Doesn't seem that difficult to me. If they communicated something different then that's bad, but I have a hard time seeing Tulsky promised a roster spot for game 1 of the playoffs when their d-core is healthy and set.