RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 21: Alexander Nikishin #21 of the Carolina Hurricanes slows down Juraj Slafkovský #20 of the Montréal Canadiens in Game One of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Lenovo at Lenovo Center on May 21, 2026 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Is there a chance that Carolina Hurricanes’ 24 y/o defenseman Alexander Nikishin isn’t traded at all this season?
It seems that way, as new reports surface pretty much every day regarding his status with the Hurricanes and what’s next for his future.
Nikishin requested out of Carolina in the summer, and while it seems that trade talks are ‘ongoing’, nothing has materialized in the last few months.
So there’s now a growing possibility that Nikishin will return to the fold for the Hurricanes during their Stanley Cup title defense.
Alexander Nikishin hasn’t been with the team this entire season, and the Hurricanes haven’t really missed a beat, as they are winners of four straight and sit atop the Metro Division.
New Report Suggests that Alexander Nikishin Could Stay Pat in Carolina
GettyLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 14: Alexander Nikishin #21 of the Carolina Hurricanes lifts the Stanley Cup after his team’s 3-0 series clinching victory against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Six of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
“Elliotte Friedman: Re Alexander Nikishin trade request: I’m just under the impression right now there’s absolutely no trade possibility on the immediate radar; the biggest question is if he’s gonna go back, I think the Hurricanes would take him back.”
A few teams who have been linked to Nikishin include the St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators, Los Angeles Kings, and Winnipeg Jets.
However, none of those mentioned teams appear to be willing to ink Nikishin to a new deal, which has led to growing speculation that Carolina could hold onto him, and sign him a shorter deal than he desires.
The bottom line for Nikishin is he’s hurting his own contract status by being off the ice, and if the Hurricanes aren’t going to find a trade suitor, keeping him may be a good option.
Do the Hurricanes Need Alexander Nikishin?
The Carolina Hurricanes are one of the most complete teams in the NHL, so they don’t necessarily need Alexander Nikishin, but inevitably, once some players start dealing with soreness/injuries, having Nikishin as a depth piece on the blue line could really pay dividends in the middle of the season.
However, as I said, Nikishin is hurting his own contract status by not playing, so perhaps he needs the Hurricanes more than they need him at this point in time.
GettyLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 14: Alexander Nikishin #21 of the Carolina Hurricanes checks Tomas Hertl #48 of the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period in Game Six of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
TJ French covers the MLB for Heavy. TJ is a graduate of the University of Georgia. He has 2+ years of writing experience.
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Carolina Hurricanes Receive Shocking Alexander Nikishin Trade Update
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Is there a chance that Carolina Hurricanes’ 24 y/o defenseman Alexander Nikishin isn’t traded at all this season? It seems that way, as new reports surface pretty much every day regarding his status with the Hurricanes and what’s next for his future. Nikishin requested out of Carolina in the summer, and while it seems that […]
Carolina Hurricanes Receive Shocking Alexander Nikishin Trade Update