The Carolina Hurricanes have made a habit out of making big moves for impact veterans at the Trade Deadline. It appears they’re gearing up to repeat that trend this season. The Hurricanes would even be open to moving star rookie defenseman Alexander Nikishin if it meant landing a high-end addition, per David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period on Thursday’s episode of Sportsnet Today.
Pagnotta added that Carolina would need a star, or even superstar, return and contract control to be swayed enough to give up Nikishin. That likely cuts down the change of the rookie moving by quite a bit – but there’s no doubt that teams will line up for the Russian defender. Nikishin has recorded six goals, 20 points, and a plus-12 through 50 NHL games this season. Those stats rank second, third, and first respectively among rookie defenders.
Nikishin also leads rookie defenders in hits (92) and ranks second in blocks (61). He has proven an ability to fit wherever Carolina needs him, even while working through cold feet to start the year. This comes after Nikishin posted a true breakout season in Russia’s KHL last year. He blew out the record for most points by a U22 defenseman in KHL history, finishing the year with 11 goals and 55 points in 65 games – 20 points more than second place. Nikishin emerged as the top defender for Russia’s biggest club – SKA St. Petersburg – and finished the year with a four-game stint in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Carolina wields clear, top-end value by dangling Nikishin to potential buyers regardless of where they are in the standings. He could be a strong fill-in for the injured Lian Bichsel with the Dallas Stars, potentially enough to land scoring winger Jason Robertson. Or Nikishin could be seen as a final piece for a struggling club like the St. Louis Blues, who have faced trade rumors around top center Robert Thomas.
It is hard to say who Carolina could be in on as the Deadline rolls around. The Hurricanes will have an estimated $35.48MM in deadline cap space, per PuckPedia. They also have two first-round picks, and one second-round pick, over the next two drafts. That flexibility, along with Nikishin, could help Carolina match just about any offer when trade season really heats up.
This is st louis-How about Kyrou
Carolina hangs up the phone!
Try Thomas instead. They need a center.
Star or super star not healthy scratches
Eric Tulsky botched a couple of deals last season with Necas, And Rantanen, Moving Nikishin is a terrible idea, Unless they can get a top flight netminder, Goaltending is currently what is keeping the Canes from their 2nd Stanley Cup.
No. They have Bussi. They need a true 2C the most.
I like Bussi but he’s not enough to carry it to the finish line
Elias Pettersen?
No. Not worth it. Rod wants his people to be defensively responsible. EP wouldn’t be a good fit for Rod Brind’amour’s system.
Bad fit and Nikishin would be an overpay.
Carolina going to get Petterson they get van to cover 30% retain. Don’t be surprised to add a goalie in make it a couple 1st picks and prospects and Young quality talent like
If they could somehow get Lankinen too, maybe they have something there.
peterson demko besser for the d plus a pick
That seems like alot, But, Carolina definitely needs goaltending. Demko wouldn’t be a bad idea at all.
If Carolina wants a superstar or star-caliber player for Alexander Nikishin then it definitely limits the market tremendously as only maybe teams like Dallas (Robertson), St. Louis (Thomas or Kyrou), Vancouver (Pettersson or Boeser), & New York Rangers (Panarin) as those teams are just off the top of my head as there are maybe a few more. The possibility is there but it depends on various factors for each team of course. But it is an interesting proposition that GMs will look at the possibility no doubt.
Robertson or Thomas would be better 2C options for the Hurricanes.
So let me get this straight: If I have an extra superstar laying around gathering dust you’ll give me Nikishin for him? Atta boy. Keep the ask simple so people can tell you to pound sand straight off and keep the phone bill down. Are ya kidding?
I was thinking exactly the same thing, Unclemike. If Nikishin was turning out this kind of season at age 18? Hm, interesting. But the notion of handing over a star with team control straight up? Get a grip and put down the hash pipe, folks. He’s already 24. What you see is what you’ve got, and it’s unlikely Nikishin is going to, at his age, suddenly turn into Makar or Fox.
Now if what the speculation really is about is Nikishin AND picks for the aforementioned star, alright, that becomes a lot more interesting.
Bussi will fold when it matters, And, Stankovan, And Staal won’t be good enough.
Would Kadri work? Just a thought.
No shot.
Carolina wants to win now while Nikishin is a “win later”. A perfect match would be a rebuilding team that has a “win now” player.
Pittsburgh is such a team. They could trade Crosby or even Crosby+Malkin for Nikishin+1st+2nd.
The incentive for Crosby and Malkin to waive would be an opportunity to win another Cup.
If Pittsburgh then moves Rust, Rakell and Shea for a package of futures, it can then tank to move up in the upcoming draft. By 2030 they could be where SJ is now or even better.
Don’t let the part where we are playing great hockey and too far from the bottom to tank stop you from suggesting we trade our still elite superstars who don’t want to move to risk ending up like the Rangers.
No thanks.
Also, FWIW, we have a better chance of winning a Cup this year than Carolina…a coach driven pretender with no goaltending every single year.
Canes have the 3rd best odds according to Vegas and moneypuck… Pens 17th and 10th. I think you’re reaching a bit there.
A) It’s COL and then everyone else.
B) Rod gets more out of them than he should and makes them seem better than they are and then they get exposed in the playoffs. He’s hockey Tomlin. I don’t believe in their roster construction.
I agree with A. Not entirely with B.
But I still think they have a better chance at a Cup than the Pens.
Alright, let’s stop you right there: Crosby+Malkin for Nikishin+1st+2nd is really hitting the hash pipe hard, given the outrageous deals being handed out all around. Malkin straight up for that package, that fits the market.
Two: the Pittsburgh fanbase will just scream at sending Malkin off, however fair the return. Crosby? There will be frigging riots. Never mind that we’re talking a future Hall of Famer still performing at an elite level AND with a year of team control left, he’s a legendary franchise icon, and trading him (which they can’t do without his approval anyway) would kill any good will Penguins management has left.
@ itsmeheyhii – Well … it depends how you want to place your bets. Are you willing to bet that Brandon Bussi keeps on playing like that (because Andersen is playing like garbage) AND that the team keeps on playing suffocating defense in front of him, even after dealing one of their core shutdown defensemen? Or are you willing to bet against Skinner kicking it up a notch and that all the guys who’ve just come back from injury stop producing all the same?
It isn’t reaching all that far. And really, look: I’ve been a strong advocate of Pittsburgh doing a massive teardown for several years now. But it’s tough to bang that drum while they’re in second place in the division. No, they’re not going to win a Cup. But at least they’re *competing*.
Nha-This is clearly what happens when alcoholics are using the MLBTR phone app around closing time after a long day of drinking. I just hope to God that these people got a cab. This is clearly dream world stuff.
I wouldn’t trade Nikishin for Malkin, let alone any picks. I’d consider it if the Pens also agreed to take Kotkaniemi though.
Agree on the fanbase screaming. Pretty much nullifies any hope for a quick rebuild.
@Nha
1) Nowhere in that scenario was Nikishin traded, though.
2) I do believe Bussi can continue to play at a high level. He is huge and moves very well. But I agree it is a big question.
3) They really havent even played great defense yet this season because Slavin has missed most of it. I expect it to improve, especially the PK.
My point was simply that the idea that the Pens have a better chance to win the Cup than the Canes is a reach, and I stand by that.
Anyone can come out of the East. Have never seen a conference so weak, literally ever.
Pens are rolling 4 lines that all fit perfectly. Have 3 good goalies. D is playing well, although I see room to upgrade there. And, we have the center depth other teams lack.
Between injuries and having two older high risk, high reward D men in 65 and 58, I’d bet the field against us, obviously. But we’d have as good a chance as any of the 1-8 in the East.
I don’t know why they are so eager to trade good, fun hockey with our future HOF’ers for bad, boring hockey with bums.
We are playing well and it’s fun to watch…what do these yinzers want?
They want to McCarthy the Pens, too? No thanks.
@66
I’m definitely not saying you dont have a chance. I’m not foolish enough to put anything past Sid.
I just dont think its a better chance than Carolina.
@Jolly Roger: As a straight, common sense hockey trade, no, I wouldn’t trade Nikishin’s three remaining years of team control straight up for Malkin’s three remaining months of it.
But in terms of open market value, underachieving players have raked in eyepopping returns in mid-season trades the last few years. Point-a-game-plus? SOMEone is going to offer the Pens a good bit more for Malkin than Nikishin.
Any examples?
Of what, underachieving or just average players raking in weird returns? Let’s JUST focus on the Bruins. Charlie Coyle having a middling season and yet bringing in Mittelstadt, a hot prospect AND a 2nd rounder? Brandon Carlo bringing in Minten, a 1st and a 4th? Jeremy F’n Lauzon going for a second rounder? Heck, by those standards, Brad Marchand going for just a top-ten protected first was Boston getting rooked.
A guy is only worth what some idiot is willing to pay. Quote- Unclemike 2026.
Mittelstadt was (and remains) a bigger underachiever that Coyle, with a higher cap hit and signed for longer. The trade was a dump by the Avs for a smaller dump, the difference compensated by futures (2nd+3rd against 5th). A fair deal.
The Carlo trade had a retention and the first is protected. If the Leafs tank or win the lottery (still possible), they keep it. The Leafs badly undervalued Minten.
Lauzon was a minor deal.
Bottom line: other than the Leafs misjudging Minten, nothing extraordinary. And Minten’s numbers before the trade were pedestrian.
Eeesh. Getting a second rounder is not chump change. And if the Leafs tank or win the lottery, they keep the 2026 1st rounder, yes: and then they hand over the 2027 1st rounder, *un*protected.
The point remains — and you seem to be weasel-wording around — that middling players dealt mid-season are bringing in far better returns than similar players dealt over the summer. Carlo — a shutdown defenseman who brings no offense to the table and was having a mediocre season last year –shouldn’t have brought more than a 2nd rounder, straight up. Lauzon — a bottom pairing guy who does nothing but hit — would have been worth a fourth rounder in a more sensible environment. Setting aside the outlier of 2024, Coyle’s a competent middle-sixer who ought to have brought a second rounder and a warm body at best.
I’m not arguing against players’ value growing towards the TD. The Leafs were desperate for any improvement at the TD last years as they were about to lose Marner. Hence the return for Carlo.
What I do argue against is the magnitude of overpayment over the offseason. There’s just no way Malkin could be dealt for Nikishin+1st+2nd. Not even Hextall or Milbury would do that sort of thing.
They foolishly traded away their star in Martin Necas.
They got value for Necas, who was going to leave Carolina as soon as he could.
In a vacuum they got value but it looks like it might cost them Nikishin because now they have to trade for a Necas. 2 things 1. Necas is levels above Stankoven who was the main return when all is said done. 2. Necas wanted to sign long term in Carolina but they signed Kotkaniemi to a ridiculous 50 mil contract. They had to bridge Necas and that was the end of the relationship. They actually bridged him again the following off-season and then traded him.
They didn’t want to pay him. The writing was on the wall the offseason prior.
Hey, its 1958! Sup dude?
Necas wanted to play Necas’ game, not Rod’s game. Necas leaving or being dealt was obviously going to happen in some way
The Canes were not cap-constrained preventing them from extending Necas.
They were able to offer Rantenan even more than he received in Dallas.
Canes collected draft picks, 2 firsts and 2 3rds, Taylor Hall, Stankoven for Necas, Drury, and a 2nd and a 4th.
Not a bad piece of work by Tulsky.
Im 47 years old dude. 1958 is almost 70. You guys have lost your mind calling anyone who was right about KK 1958. Other than about 8 people on CC the great majority of Canes fans agree with me on the KK situation.
Necas for Stankoven is not an upgrade dude and we gave up several draft picks as well. I think most rational hockey fans realize Carolina didn’t actually come out ahead at the end of the day. Necas has 22 G 40 Asst in 50 games and is +40 for Colorado and people act like he was the problem in Carolina.
How many draft picks is “several?”
By my count, we gave up a 2nd and a 4th and got back two 1sts and two 3rds.
Necas was not willing to play to his ability within Rod’s system.
One of them had to go, and it ain’t Rod.
KK is openly on the trade block, and anyone paying attention knows he is a fairly painless buyout candidate.
Which of those frustrates you?
It’s not just Necas for Stankoven. It’s Necas for Stankoven, Hall and K’andre Miller ( who the canes used one of the picks they received to acquire). The deal allowed the Canes to become a much deeper team.
Nice try… no one has that combo of Necas fangirling and KK hate.
Dont be ashamed!
Look who he’s playing with. I’m sure that factors in with his stats this year.
Any trade including Nikishin had better bring definite star quality to Carolina.
His growth since last year has been great to observe and next year will be even better.
What is the line that delineates star and superstar? He sounds like a kid trading hockey cards.
I would go with Aho, Jarvis, Staal, And Jankowski down the middle, Then try to significantly upgrade the goaltending.
The kid sounds like exactly what the note needs. He would have to be a stud to require Thomas in return. Kyrou and Binner? Binner is struggling with the swill D in front of him.
Nikishin for Cossa. Detroit has 4 more goalie prospects putting in stellar performances this year. Just need another Russian for Niki to pal around with.
No chance of that. Bussi is probably about to sign, anyway. They will roll with him and PK next year.
The time to acquire a superstar is the offseason. The canes will have to overpay to acquire one at this point. Armie won’t let Thomas go for less than a ransom.
Is Thomas an upgrade over what the Canes let walk in Trocheck? I’m sure Nikishin walks after his contract is up over the way the Canes initially treated him.
This is a silly narrative. Nowhere has Nikishin expressed that he is unhappy.
Never mind that as an RFA, Carolina still has three years of team control ahead.
They need a 2C in a bad way.
Panarin is available
could see detroit making a 3 team trade offer of sending 2026 1st plus package of prospects for either thomas or petterson (rebuilding teams) , detroit gets niki . detroit can also take back a bad contract plus add bottom half vet peices such as compher / docker / talbot that canes might want for insurance
forgot to add that detroit gets pick/prospect back from canes in this deal
If Nikishin is a star young Dman, why would they need to trade him for a “star” player? 🤨
To win now. Nikishin is a “win later”.
Ppaannnarrrinnn
No chance.
I was mainly joking but not ruling out the possibility of a larger trade with Laffy Taffy or Vinny Trocheck
No doubt they would be interested in those guys.
I really doubt Nikishin would be available for that, but I could be wrong.
He would only be considered in a Rangers trade if a couple of things work out. One, panarin has to waive to go to Carolina, and Carolina would only consider it if an extension is set in place upon the trade. Two, I believe adding Trocheck to the deal will open Carolina’s eyes to potentially adding the best 2C on the trade market and a current star sniper in panarin. The Wild want Tro bad, so we will see, but if the Canes get Trocheck and panarin, both guys with long histories of line chemistry. They would slot right into the second line, lowering the playoff load talent for Stankoven and Blake. Svech would slot back to his normal right wing spot alongside Panarin and Trocheck. Ehlers goes back to the first line with Aho and Jarvis. Hall would be with Stank and Blake. The 4th line would be the best in hockey with Carrier, Martinhook, and Staal. It’s a risky move, but it’s not impossible. If canes keep nikishin, you are going to have to pay him big money. I believe he would be worth more than what Miller has or the same. It’s hard to see Carolina invest 6.5mil in Slavin, 7.5 mil in Miller, and then another potential 7-8mil in Nikishin. A deal would involve a couple of prospects but doing this could limit no high end draft capital going the other way
Blues ask Thomas for Nikishin, Nadeau, and a 1st
I just dont see the Blues trading Thomas tbh. Hes the kind of guy you build around.
I could live with this trade.
I suspect the Blues and fans would laugh at the prospect.
He didn’t want to play in Rod’s system.
Rod, who doesn’t often publicly criticize the guys, “He gets the puck in our end and feels like he has to do it all,” I. e., go 200′.
We saw it for years, Necas carrying the puck into 3 opponents and turning it over.
His linemates weren’t fast enough. How’s Kotkaniemi doing since Necas was traded? Pretty sure he’s a healthy scratch now.
You never let a crazy narrative go to waste.
Thomas for Nadeau, Nikishin, plus a 1st