RALEIGH, North Carolina: The words Carolina Hurricanes fans have waited nearly five years for became official yesterday morning.
“Alexander Nikishin is a Carolina Hurricane.”
Nikishin, 23, was drafted by the Hurricanes in 2020 at sixty-ninth overall. Since then, the defenseman has been one of the most desired prospects. From 2019 to 2022, Nikishin played for the KHL’s HC Spartak Moskva, and was traded to SKA Saint Petersburg on July 31, 2022. With SKA, Nikishin was one of the team’s stars, putting up 55 points in 65 games during his first season. During his second season with SKA, Nikishin was named the team’s captain, and was first on the team in scoring, with 56 points in 67 games.
Nikishin will be remaining with the Hurricanes for the remainder of the 2024-2025 season, including into the Stanley Cup playoffs. Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky told reporters yesterday afternoon that visa issues are a concern for Nikishin, including the lack of a US embassy in Russia. The team is also “working on” a Canadian visa for Nikishin. Tulsky expects the US visa to be ready “any day now.”
Nikishin has been signed to a two-year entry-level contract (ELC) with the Hurricanes, approximately making $832,500 US dollars for 2024-25 & 2025-26. He also receives a signing bonus of $185,000 US dollars.
Nikishin is ineligible to be offer-sheeted, and will become an RFA after the 2025-2026 season.
On Friday morning, Nikishin told RG, “If it were possible, I’d be ready to play tomorrow… If it works out, I’d be thrilled and would give it everything I’ve got.”
ITR 36: Coaching Carousel – Inside The Rink
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