Alexander Nikishin Joins the Hurricanes With Big Expectations
So here we go—huge news coming out of Carolina, and it’s got the hockey world buzzing. The Hurricanes have officially signed Russian defenseman Alexander Nikishin to a two-year, entry-level contract, and this is a move that could shake things up in a big way.
Nikishin’s name might already be familiar to hardcore hockey fans. At just 23 years old, he’s been absolutely dominating in the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg, where he served as team captain. And now? He’s finally making the jump to the NHL. The Hurricanes snagged him back in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft—69th overall—but what he’s accomplished since then makes him look like a top-10 pick in hindsight.
Let’s talk numbers for a second: this past season, he racked up 17 goals and 29 assists over 61 games. That’s 46 points as a defenseman—wild, right? And he wasn’t just producing points. Nikishin also led his team on and off the ice, wore the “C,” and played like a seasoned vet. He’s now SKA’s all-time leading scorer among defensemen with 177 points in 288 games, and he also chipped in 15 points during playoff play. That kind of resume is rare, especially at his age.
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But his dominance isn’t new. He made headlines back in 2022-23 when he shattered the single-season scoring record for a Russian-born defenseman in the KHL, only to break that again the following year. That’s the kind of trajectory that makes you take notice. He’s also been named KHL Defenseman of the Month seven times in the last three seasons. This guy doesn’t just show up—he owns the ice.
General Manager Eric Tulsky had nothing but praise for him, crediting SKA for developing him into one of the top hockey prospects in the world. The Canes are clearly expecting big things, and rightfully so. Nikishin brings a combo of size (6'4", 214 pounds), skill, and leadership that could make him a cornerstone of their defense for years to come.
He’s getting $832,500 a year for both the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons, with a sweet $185,000 signing bonus. But it’s not just about the money. He’s got performance bonuses baked into the deal too, including one if he manages to take home the Conn Smythe Trophy—yeah, the MVP of the playoffs. That’s how much confidence they have in this guy.
And he’s ready. In his own words, Nikishin said, “If it were possible, I’d be ready to play tomorrow.” That fire? That drive? It’s exactly what Carolina needs heading into the playoffs and beyond. Even if he doesn’t jump into the top four right away—guys like Orlov, Slavin, and Gostisbehere are still in the mix—he’s poised to slot in quickly and take over a bigger role, especially with Orlov likely headed to free agency.
This move isn’t just about adding depth. It’s about building for the future, locking in a player who could be a game-changer. Hurricanes fans—get excited. Alexander Nikishin is here, and the NHL is about to find out what Russia’s best young defenseman can really do.
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