Hurricanes RFA Nikishin Could Be on the Trade Block After Cup Win

The Carolina Hurricanes just won the Stanley Cup. But less than a month later, one of their young defensemen might be headed out the door.

Alexander Nikishin, the 24-year-old Russian blueliner who joined the team late this season, is reportedly the subject of trade conversations around the league. TSN’s Darren Dreger posted that multiple teams have confirmed Carolina is at least exploring what’s out there for Nikishin, who’s a pending restricted free agent.

Here’s the thing. The Hurricanes have nearly everyone from that Cup-winning roster locked up. They re-signed Nicolas Deslauriers during the championship parade, which is about as Hurricanes as it gets. The only free agents still hanging out there are Frederik Andersen, Mike Reilly, and Nikishin. Andersen and Reilly are unrestricted. Nikishin is the RFA, which gives Carolina some control but also a decision to make.

Nikishin was drafted 69th overall in 2020. He spent years developing in the KHL with SKA Saint Petersburg before finally coming over to sign his entry-level deal. He only played four regular season games for the Canes but appeared in 81 total this season, scoring 11 goals and adding 22 assists. In the playoffs he had one assist across 17 games, though he missed two games with a concussion.

So why would Carolina move a 24-year-old defenseman who just won a Cup with them? Money, mostly. The Hurricanes have a little over $10 million in cap space this offseason. Nikishin’s next contract is projected to land somewhere between $3.7 and $6.4 million per year depending on the term. That’s a chunk. Moving him could free up room to keep other pieces or add somewhere else.

The Montreal Canadiens and Los Angeles Kings have been linked to Nikishin before. But there’s probably a longer list of suitors for a 6-foot-3 Russian defenseman who’s already got Cup experience and is still on the right side of 25. The team hasn’t confirmed anything, and Dreger’s report frames it as Carolina weighing trade interest against an extension. They’re not shopping him aggressively. They’re listening.

It’s worth watching how this plays out. The Hurricanes don’t have to move him. But with cap space tight and Nikishin due a raise, the math gets complicated fast. And in a league where young defensemen with size and skill are always in demand, Carolina might get an offer they can’t turn down.