Training camp has begun, the first preseason games have been played, and Alexander Nikishin is still not with the team. The Canes made it crystal clear that he wouldn't be with them, since he isn't under contract, so this isn't like Connor Hellebuyck not showing up while seeking a trade. The ball is in the Canes' court, and they can do whatever they want with it.
While Nikishin is looking for a big contract, reportedly something similar to what the Canucks gave Zeev Buium (eight years, $9.38m AAV), my sense is that this isn't so much about the money as it is about his fit and deployment. Don't get me wrong; Nikishin wants a lot of money, but the Canes can give him that. What he desires is to be the top guy, and that's tougher for the Canes to accommodate.
Since Nikishin is an RFA who is ineligible to be offer-sheeted, Carolina holds whatever "leverage" one can have in this situation. His contract rights are theirs, so as much as he can request a trade, the Canes have the final say over how this plays out. There is nothing to indicate that they aren't trying to find something that works for all parties involved, but there might not be a simple resolution.
Why Winnipeg isn't the right fit for him, despite the rumors
The obvious solution that is punching us all in the face is one that sees Nikishin being traded in a package for Hellebucyk, bringing an end to both sagas in one fell swoop. I've suggested it, and I'm far from the only person to put those dots together. The Canes tried to get something done along those lines at the draft, but Winnipeg turned it down.
I'll stand my ground that acquiring Hellebuyck makes the Hurricanes better, and I don't understand the arguments that it doesn't. He's one of the best goalies in the world, even if his postseason track record is spotty, and it would fortify the only spot of relative concern on the roster. Where I don't think this works is where Nikishin is concerned.
Ignoring that Winnipeg is often one of the least-desired landing spots for most players, making it a popular location on most players' no-trade lists, their roster makes being "the guy" a little tougher. Josh Morrissey is their #1 on the left side and runs their power play. I don't see Nikishin breaking through that. These five options are far better suited for what he's looking for.
1. Calgary Flames
If there's a team with the appropriate amount of available cap space and the right combination of prospects and picks to offer the Canes for Nikishin, the Calgary Flames are at the top of the list. The Flames haven't made the playoffs since 2022, and it'll be tough sledding again this season, but they're putting together a solid group.
The Flames made a big move to acquire Simon Nemec from the Devils this summer, and Zayne Parekh, their top prospect, is ready to make an impact in the NHL. Both of them are righties. On the left side, they have Kevin Bahl and Jacob Middleton locked up for multiple years, but they aren't the biggest scorers. Nikishin could immediately step into Top 4 role with power-play responsibilities.
Calgary possesses one of the best prospect pools in the league, headlined by Parekh. While he's untouchable, they might be more willing to depart with someone a little further down on their list. They also have multiple second-round picks in the next three drafts. The Canes don't want futures, but with little on the Calgary roster to entice the Canes, they might have to settle for them.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
Usually, I don't encourage the Hurricanes to make big trades with division rivals. Ideally, this move gets done with a Western Conference team, limiting the number of times you'll have to face Nikishin during the year. However, the pool of teams feels pretty limited as it is. The Penguins make just as much sense as anyone else to be interested in the Canes' defenseman.
The Penguins are approaching the end of an era for the team, though Sidney Crosby continues to defy Father Time. On defense, Kris Letang has one year left on his deal, Erik Karlsson is a free agent at the end of the season, and they don't have an offensive threat on the left side. Nikishin could come in, learn the system in his first year, and take over as the top guy by his second year.
Pittsburgh has draft capital to offer the Canes, owning ten picks in the first two rounds of the next three drafts. Of course, Pittsburgh could be hesitant to part with it, especially if dark times are ahead in the post-Crosby-Malkin-Letang days. Their prospect pool won't blow you away, and someone like 2025 first-round pick Bill Zonnon, who I'm very high on, might be too much to ask for.
3. Detroit Red Wings
A lot of eyes are on Winnipeg right now, but just as many are focused on the Detroit Red Wings, with their ongoing saga surrounding Dylan Larkin wanting a trade. However, they also have an RFA without a new contract, Simon Edvinsson, who is also a left-handed defenseman. I'm by no means suggesting that the Hurricanes are interested, or should go after either, but it's something to watch.
The Red Wings' system has quite a few solid right-handed defensemen throughout. Moritz Seider is a franchise defender, while Axel Sandin Pellikka could be the future. On the left side, things are a little more up in the air. Edvinsson could be that, but Nikishin could help fortify that position if the Red Wings feel so inclined to poke their noses into the situation.
With a new regime in charge, they could try to do something bold. They have the prospects to make it happen, but their draft capital leaves a lot to be desired. Given their standing right now, they're probably less likely to hand over a first-round pick without putting some conditions on it. This feels like a long-shot option, but so does everything else.
4. Nashville Predators
Honestly, I think Nashville would be a tougher sell to Nikishin. He's looking to be in the middle of things right now, but that might not happen immediately with the Predators. Roman Josi is Mr. Everything for the group, with the ability to play on both sides. Brady Skjei still has five years left on the deal that he signed after leaving Raleigh, and Nicolas Hague is making a fair amount, too.
However, with Josi nearing the end of the line and Skjei, while tough to move with all of his trade protection, a candidate to be a part of rumors, so long as the Predators are out of the hunt, there's an avenue for Nikishin to slide in. They also only have three defensemen signed through this season, giving them plenty of money to work with if Nikishin wants a big contract.
Nashville's prospect pool is one of the less-talked-about yet deep collections in the league. They also have plenty of picks, including an extra first-round pick in either 2028 or 2029 from Colorado and three second-round picks in 2028. Nashville can put together a tempting package for Nikishin. The question is whether it's enough to sway Carolina.
5. St. Louis Blues
No team has more intriguing and relatively available NHL assets than the St. Louis Blues. After falling four points short of the postseason last year, the Blues were aggressive this offseason, trading Jordan Kyrou to Washington for Connor McMichael and acquiring Mason McTavish from the Ducks. However, with how top-heavy their division is, their status as a playoff team is far from solidified.
I would love to live in a world where someone like Jimmy Snuggerud was a possibility for the Canes, but I don't think that's very plausible. I also don't think they'd depart with Dalibor Dvorsky, who I think could develop into a reliable middle-six center. I'm not sure if Jake Neighbours might be available, but if he is, I wouldn't be opposed to seeing the Canes go after the two-time 20-goal-scoring winger.
For a middling team, the Blues don't have much draft capital to offer if they want to sweeten the deal a little. However, if the Canes are looking for NHL-ready assets to make this deal happen, the Blues are the team to talk to. While they might already have Philip Broberg and Cam Fowler locked in for the next little bit, Nikishin could be another big body with offensive upside to add to their group.
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