Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin is poised to make an impression on the club this upcoming season. The Russian import joined the Canes following the end of the KHL season last year.
And he hit the ground running.
Nikishin found himself in the lineup without even playing a regular-season game. He hardly looked out of place despite being a rookie without NHL experience.
But as Nikishin told Daria Tuboltseva of RG Media in an August 18 piece, seeing action in last season’s Stanley Cup playoffs was a significant learning experience.
Nikishin stated:
“Watching Brent Burns, Jordan Staal, Dima Orlov, Jaccob Slavin – it was all very valuable. Every defenseman had something useful I could learn. In general, on this team, each guy does things in his own way, and there’s always something to take from it.”
However, Dmitry Orlov and Brent Burns are no longer with the Hurricanes. Burns signed a one-year free-agent deal with the Colorado Avalanche, while Orlov signed with the San Jose Sharks.
That doesn’t mean that other leaders like Staal and Slavin could not be mentors for the 23-year-old moving forward.
Nikishin stressed how important it is for him to be ready for the season. He added:
“I want to train properly. My first NHL experience was a lesson – I realized what I need to work on. Now it will be easier because I already know the guys, the staff, the locker room, how practices go. I can’t wait for the season, but preparation is the key. I want to be as useful for the team as possible, without being the weak link.”
The Hurricanes believe in Nishkin enough to let veterans like Orlov and Burns move on. That faith and trust are something Nikishin wants to reward by giving it his all this upcoming season.
Nikishin spending time at home before joining Hurricanes
The 2025-26 season will be the first season Alexander Nikishin will play away from his native Russia. He played for the SKA St. Petersburg club in 2024-25, putting up an impressive 17 goals and 46 points in 61 games.
As he gears up for a full season in North America, Nikishin decided to spend part of his summer at home with family before departing.
Nikishin told Tuboltseva:
“I thought about it. But this is my first NHL summer, and I decided to come home – be with family, take care of some personal matters. Maybe next summer I’ll stay in North America, but I don’t want to plan too far ahead. Of course, in the U.S. everything is there for hockey – everyone trains and skates together, it’s very convenient and fun.”
Indeed, being away from home is no laughing matter. Nikishin and the Hurricanes hope that next season will be a long year due to an extended playoff run. If that’s the case, Nikishin and the Hurricanes will face a short summer in 2026.
But that would hardly be an inconvenience if it meant winning a Stanley Cup. With Nikishin solidifying a young blue line core, the future looks bright for the Carolina Hurricanes.