NSJ’s 2025 Newcomer of the Year

Alexander Nikishin poised to finally join Hurricanes

Russia’s Alexander Nikishin (57) controls the puck during a preliminary round men's hockey game against Switzerland at the 2022 Winter Olympics (Matt Slocum / AP Photo)

This year, the Carolina Hurricanes will be adding what could potentially be one of the biggest pieces for their team moving forward and they won’t even have to make a trade to do it.

After years of hype, 2020 third-round pick Alexander Nikishin is finally poised to make his way to North America in 2025.

The excitement surrounding the Russian defenseman has been boiling for years now as the 23-year-old has been exhibiting truly elite ability while lighting up the KHL, Russia’s top hockey league.

Arguably one of the best players currently outside the NHL, Nikishin is an elite package. He can skate, hit, shoot, defend, you name it.

The Russian blueliner currently holds the record for the most points in a season by a Russian-born defenseman in KHL history (56), having broken his own record set two years prior.

He is also SKA St. Petersburg’s – his current KHL team – all-time highest scoring defenseman with 132 points in 263 games and not only that, but he’s also their captain, having been named when he was just 22.

“Nikishin was able to build off the record setting year that he had,” said Hurricanes assistant general manager Darren Yorke last season. “It’s been great to watch the growth from him from the time we drafted him to now. The physicality was always there, the offensive ability at the MHL level was there. At 18 years old though, when he was playing in KHL games, it probably wasn’t as prevalent. Now he’s just been able to add more layers to his game. We’re excited for where he is.”

The 6-foot-4, 216-pound bruiser has been known for his big hits and powerful shot, but he’s just overall an extremely versatile player, having led the KHL in assists in 2022-23, Nikishin currently quarterbacks SKA’s top power play, averaging over three minutes of power play time per game, but he’s also a relied upon piece shorthanded too.

The Russian defenseman plays in all situations is just a complete minute muncher, averaging over 24 minutes of ice time per game and even occasionally eclipsing 30 minutes a night at times.

“He’s able to create on his own, he’s able to make others better and he’s one of the hardest players to play against,” Yorke told nhl.com . “So, you’re really looking at a unicorn of defensemen.”

Nikishin’s contract with SKA is set to expire at the end of the current KHL season, which depending on how their playoffs in Russia go, could see the coveted blueliner arrive right before the NHL’s own playoffs.

At that point, he’ll sign his ELC with Carolina and will be ready to potentially either hop right into the lineup or at least join the team, black ace and prepare for the upcoming year.

“As soon as his contract ends, we expect him to come over and hit our lineup and provide us a boost right away,” Carolina general manager Eric Tulsky told nhl.com this summer.

While it might be difficult for the newcomer to usurp a position on the Hurricanes’ already established blueline when he arrives this season, he’s virtually guaranteed to be a top-four staple the following year.

After this season, the Hurricanes will have two top-four blueline spots opening up as both Brent Burns and Dmitry Orlov’s contract will be expiring.

It seems like the natural fit for Nikishin to replace his fellow countryman alongside Jalen Chatfield, but I’m sure the Canes’ coaching staff will try to see where his perfect fit may be. I mean, who wouldn’t be interested in seeing how a Nikishin – Jaccob Slavin pairing works out?

The KHL and NHL are two very different leagues so the transition might not be as simple as it would seem on paper, however, many within the Hurricanes organization are confident that Nikishin not only could very well play in the NHL today, but could be a difference maker too.