Alexander Nikishin News

After prolonged negotiations and trade rumours, the Hurricanes have agreed to a one-year, $3.0 million contract extension with defenseman Alexander Nikishin. The 25-year-old Russian was a third-round pick in the Hurricanes' 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He was a valuable contributor to the Hurricanes' 2025-26 Stanley Cup Championship as a rookie, after a 33-point (11G / 22A) 81-game season.

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2026-10-26T15:17:33.626Z

Nikishin is an unsigned RFA who has requested a trade from Carolina, so he will hold out of training camp while he awaits a new deal or a trade. The Hurricanes' bolstered their defensive depth recently by signing both P-O Joseph and Mike Reilly to one-year deals.

Nikishin has not played since receiving a thunderous hit from Tyler Kleven of the Ottawa Senators nearly two weeks ago. That said, Nikishin should return to the lineup for Game Three against the Philadelphia Flyers. Mike Reilly will exit the lineup to accommodate Nikishin's return.

Nikishin has not played since receiving a thunderous hit from Tyler Kleven of the Ottawa Senators nearly two weeks ago. That said, a break between play, Nikishin has only missed two games, and could return to the lineup for Game Three against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Just like he did in Game 1, Nikishin was on the ice for Monday's morning skate but will not play in Game 2. This is likely a combination of taking caution with a concussion and not wanting to change a lineup that won 3-0 in Game 1. Nikishin should be ready to go in Game 3 should the Hurricanes require his services.

Nikishin had to be helped off of the ice in the Hurricanes' series clinching win in Ottawa last Saturday, and will miss Game 1 vs. the Flyers as he continues to recover from a concussion. Mike Reilly will draw into the lineup to replace Nikishin.

Nikishin suffered a concussion on a devastating hit from Tyler Kleven in Game 4 vs. the Senators. But the week between games served him well, as Nikishin was in practice on Friday and the morning skate on Saturday. Head coach Rod Brind'Amour said that he needs to clear one final concussion test in order to get cleared to play in Game 1. He's considered a game-time decision.

Nikishin had to be helped off the ice in Game Four against the Ottawa Senators and did not return after getting crushed by a hit from Tyler Kleven. Carolina Head Coach Rod Brind'Amour suggested that Nikishin is making progress and should be able to play when the team returns to action in the second round.

Nikishin had to be helped off the ice after getting crushed by Tyler Kleven. He returned with the team to Raleigh where he will continue the NHL’s protocol for a safe return to play. Nikishin is questionable to play in Game 1 of Round 2.

Nikishin was a healthy scratch in Winnipeg on Friday, but will draw back into the lineup on Sunday. The Hurricanes did not announce who Nikishin will replace in the leinup. He has picked up eight points (2G / 6A) and a plus-14 rating in 20 games this season.

Nikishin will be the odd-man out on Friday in order to make room for Jalen Chatfield, who is back in the lineup after suffering a concussion. Nikishin has appeared in 20 games this season, registering two goals and six assists.

Nikishin made his NHL debut in Game 5 against the Capitals, filling in for Jalen Chatfield (lower-body). Chatfield is still unavailable for the first game of round three, but the Hurricanes are opting to dress Scott Morrow over Nikishin.

Nikishin will slot in for Jalen Chatfield, who is out with an undisclosed injury. Nikishin was Carolina's third-round pick, 69th overall, in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 23-year-old Nikishin has spent the previous few seasons in the KHL. He scored 46 points (17G / 29A) in 61 games with St. Peterburgh SKA (KHL) this season.

Nikishin was Carolina's third-round pick, 69th overall, in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 23-year-old Nikishin has spent the previous few seasons in the KHL. He scored 46 points (17G / 29A) in 61 games with St. Peterburgh SKA (KHL) this season.