Top prospect Alexander Nikishin signs two-year, entry-level contract with Hurricanes
Another top star from Russia is set to come to North America.
Alexander Nikishin has signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes, allowing him to join the team for the playoffs.
According to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, visa issues will prevent Nikishin from playing prior to the team’s first-round playoff matchup against the New Jersey Devils.
With his release from SKA St. Petersburg secured, #Canes will soon sign top prospect Alexander Nikishin to his entry-level deal.
Visa process will take some time; his #NHL debut with #RaiseUp will be in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs against #njdevils.
Nikishin was originally taken by the Hurricanes in the third round, 69th overall, of the 2020 NHL Draft. He has spent the last few years maturing in the KHL with both Spartak Moskva and SKA. His three seasons with St. Petersburg saw him become one of the best two-way defensemen outside the NHL. After scoring at least 55 in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, leading the league in points by a defender, the 23-year-old captain posted another 46 points this past year.
SKA came up short in the postseason, getting knocked out in the opening round of the Gagarin Cup Playoffs by Dynamo Moscow in six games
In 288 games across six seasons in the KHL, Nikishin scored 54 goals and 123 assists for 177 points, including another 15 points in 35 playoff games.
Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis says the Orel native can be a versatile asset for the Hurricanes.
“His past two seasons are among the best ever seen by a KHL defender,” Ellis wrote. “No blueliner is remotely close to touching his 140 points from the past three years combined. Oh, and he’s also a mobile 6-foot-4 rearguard, too – that doesn’t hurt. Many believe Nikishin can take on a big role in the NHL immediately next year, which would give the Hurricanes a significant boost.”
Along with a stellar KHL career, Nikishin had some success on the international stage, taking home the silver medal with the Russian Olympic Committee at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
The appearance of Nikishin adds some youth to an experienced back end in Raleigh. He would be joining the likes of veterans Brent Burns and Dmitry Orlov, as well as the talented Jaccob Slavin.
The Hurricanes (46-27-5) are sitting second in the Metropolitan Division and are on a path to face the New Jersey Devils in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.