Report: Hurricanes Will Do 'Everything They Can' To Bring Alexander Nikishin To NHL

The Carolina Hurricanes are determined to bring top defensive prospect Alexander Nikishin to the NHL as soon as possible once his KHL contract with SKA St. Petersburg expires on May 31. 

According to Cory Lavalette of The Athletic, Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky said the team will do "everything they can" to get Nikishin over once his season ends. KHL teams can void contracts before that date, and if SKA is eliminated early from the playoffs, there’s a chance an agreement could be reached for an early termination. 

This season, the 23-year-old has 17 goals and 46 total points across 58 games played for SKA St. Petersburg. The 6-foot-4, 216 lbs defenseman is in his second year as the captain of the club.

Nikishin, 23, recently signed with Quartexx Hockey to represent him in North America, strengthening his ties to the Hurricanes, as the agency also represents several of the team’s players.

Tulsky said that Alexander Nikishin’s contract ends on May 31, but KHL teams can void contracts early, and the Hurricanes will do everything they can to get the defenseman to Raleigh as soon as his season ends.

— Cory Lavalette (@corylav) March 7, 2025

Bringing Nikishin over is part of Carolina’s larger offseason plan following their trade deadline moves. The Hurricanes cleared significant cap space by dealing Mikko Rantanen to Dallas for Logan Stankoven and four draft picks, setting themselves up for a major reload in the summer. 

With $37 million in projected cap space, they have the flexibility to sign key free agents and re-sign players like Taylor Hall and Eric Robinson while integrating young talent such as Nikishin and Scott Morrow into the lineup. 

Tulsky emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for younger players, saying, “We have tried to make sure there is always opportunity for younger players who are in the lineup to keep moving up as they earn their ice time.”

Goals this year from Alexander Nikishin

Courtesy of SKA pic.twitter.com/vHg3VNnflw

— Canes Prospects (@CanesProspects) March 5, 2025

Despite the focus on the offseason, Carolina is obviously still locked in on the present, aiming for their seventh straight playoff appearance and another deep run. 

The team’s blend of veteran leadership and rising stars has them in position to contend, and Nikishin’s eventual arrival will only strengthen their blue line. 

Whether he joins immediately after the KHL season or in the summer, the Hurricanes are doing everything in their power to ensure he’s wearing a Carolina sweater as soon as possible.