5:00 PM: Nikishin’s North American-based agent, Ryan Barnes, downplayed Demidov’s comments per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. Per Friedman, Barnes shared that Nikishin’s camp continues to work on a deal with the Hurricanes – and chalked Demidov’s comments up to Nikishin’s Russian representation being eager to see him at the top flight. The additional comments may not totally alleviate the tension between Nikishin and a lineup role, but they will ease fans’ worries of a star prospect being traded.
11:30 AM: The relationship between the Hurricanes and star defense prospect Alexander Nikishin is off to a rocky start. While they announced they agreed to terms on an entry-level contract two weeks ago and Nikishin said he was “thrilled” to have the opportunity to join Carolina in the playoffs, general manager Eric Tulsky said Wednesday they’ve yet to register Nikishin’s contract with the league.
There was a fairly simple explanation for that – there’s no rush to insert Nikishin into a lineup that’s dominated through two games against the Devils, and leaving the contract unsigned makes Nikishin eligible to get some AHL postseason action in with their affiliate in Chicago. Nonetheless, the delay in signing has been frustrating to Nikishin and his representation.
“Carolina is behaving incomprehensibly, and not only for us, but for scouts and representatives of other NHL clubs,” agent Alexander Chernykh told Olesya Usova of RB Sport (translated from Russian). “Everyone is shocked and outraged. But, as I was told, this never surprises, because Carolina always behaves like this and with everyone. At the moment, we cannot comment on the situation, because the club’s actions defy common sense. If this continues, Alexander will either go back, or we will ask for a trade.”
That’s certainly a troubling statement regarding the 23-year-old Nikishin, who’s expected to be a key part of Carolina’s defense core next season with Brent Burns and Dmitry Orlov slated to become unrestricted free agents. The 6’4″, 216-lb lefty was a third-round pick in 2020 and has been widely regarded as the top defenseman outside of the NHL over the past couple of years. He dominated his native Russia since his breakout 2022-23 campaign, recording 157 points in 193 games with a +70 rating over the last three years for SKA St. Petersburg.
Tulsky said that there wouldn’t be an issue in registering the contract if Nikishin’s services were needed in short order, but waiting to register the deal delays the payout of his $92.5K signing bonus and, obviously, impedes his ability to earn the $1.038MM performance bonus in his deal for winning playoff MVP honors, however unlikely that would have been.
Very short sighted
Pretty melodramatic comment from the agent. I get he is protecting his client, but he sounds like a Karen.
He is a Karenov!!!!!
Treating players like garbage is typical for Carolina. What a crap organization.
Do you have any examples? Not disagreeing with you, I have heard some rumblings but I can’t remember anything specific offhand except that the new owner didn’t want to give executives firm contracts for the whole season.
When one of your players – Aho – signs an offer sheet… well, that says it right there.
That is a terrible example. He wanted to maximize his earnings.
Having to sign an offer sheet to maximize your earnings? Somehow most teams and players settle this without an offer sheet. But you folks in Carolina…whatever.
I’m not in Carolina. Your example was just terrible. Aho made a smart financial move.
You seem new to hockey, to contracts, and to negotiations.
What a crap, consistently winning organization.
both can be true
consistency in choking in the playoffs maybe
Tulsky screwed up with guentzel and Rantanen. One more strike and he needs to go.
LOL
Do you think he makes a player move without ownership approval?
No one paying attention thinks so.
It’s the cheap owner that doesn’t want to pay his contract…
For as dramatic as the agent is being, this is what happens when you have a math nerd running your team. Zero acumen for bringing KHL players over.
Those guys in Carolina are so smart.
$92.5k buys a very nice car, so I’d be upset too! :D
Y’all’s comments are a joke, apparently don’t know puck. Is this a hockey site or do you just lap down media narratives? Carolina is simply maintaining the flexibility to let Nikishin play games in the AHL playoffs if needed/possible before he officially signs the NHL contract – which would eliminate his ability to play in AHL. Dude was happy and hanging with his Russian Canes teammates on the way to Jersey for game 3. Canes aren’t gonna screw him over, he’s a future fixture on the blue line.
Yeah… he came over here so he could play in the AHL.
Right.
Plenty of sad, bitter commenters new to hockey and without a team in the playoffs…..
1. Not what I said.
2. He didn’t come here to play in the AHL in perpetuity, you can’t possibly be that daft.
Dude has never played a game in the NHL, and Carolina isn’t desperate for a defender exactly right now. So instead of not playing, imagine he could play an AHL playoff to tune up. It’s fully moot now, since the Wolves were eliminated last night. Now watch all those much dumber than you execs in Carolina sign him and next you can complain they aren’t immediately sitting someone on a contender in order to start him.
Am I missing something or are “Demidovs” comments a typo?
2 different people, but it made me do a double take too.
Stupid math nerd geek cheap stupid. Canes are Vegas odds favorites to win Stanley Cup.