What Happened
The Carolina Hurricanes signed 25-year-old restricted free agent defenceman Alexander Nikishin to a one-year, $3 million contract, according to Sportsnet. Nikishin had not played this season. The deal came a day after Carolina beat the St. Louis Blues 4-0 in St. Louis on Saturday, keeping the Hurricanes atop the Metropolitan Division. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported during the Connor Hellebuyck talks that a trade with Winnipeg could have been completed if Nikishin had been willing to sign an extension with the Jets. The New Jersey Devils instead acquired Hellebuyck on Friday.
Key Details
- Nikishin, 25, is a restricted free agent who had not appeared in a game this season.
- His one-year deal carries a $3 million cap hit.
- Sportsnet reported his asking price was thought to be near Zeev Buium's extension.
- Nikishin remains under team control for two more seasons after this one.
- Carolina beat St. Louis 4-0 on Saturday and leads the Metropolitan Division.
What It Means
Nikishin gives Carolina a signed asset rather than a lingering restricted free agent standoff. Sportsnet notes he could still be a trade chip in the right deal, and that a Hellebuyck trade was possible if he had extended with Winnipeg. The Hurricanes are not short on offence: Sebastian Aho is producing at a career-best rate, Logan Stankoven leads the team with eight goals, and Jackson Blake is a point-per-game player in the first year of an eight-year deal with a cap hit just over $5 million.
What's Next
Nikishin can rejoin the Carolina lineup after signing. The Hurricanes continue their season atop the Metropolitan Division, with Nikishin under contract through this season and two more years of team control remaining.