Alexander Nikishin’s situation in Carolina still looks like a standoff, but the change in representation could give the process a little more movement.
Elliotte Friedman said on NHL Network’s NHL Now that the Hurricanes defenseman wants out and has made that preference clear. Carolina, though, still holds the leverage.
“I do think he wants to be traded. I think he’s made it very clear that he wants to be traded,” Friedman said.
The issue starts with the CBA. Nikishin hasn’t played long enough to qualify for arbitration this past year, and he also hasn’t played long enough to be eligible for an offer sheet. That leaves Carolina with what Friedman described as complete control over the player.
That control has already shaped how the Hurricanes have handled the situation. Friedman said Carolina had a trade in place with the Rangers that it was comfortable with, but Nikishin did not agree to the money on the other side.
“I heard the number was not low, but it just wasn’t where Nikishin wanted it to be, and he turned down the deal,” Friedman said.
Carolina’s own ask is steep. Friedman said the Hurricanes are looking for “like two first-round picks or something comparable to that.”
He also said Nikishin has changed agents, and that clubs including St. Louis and Nashville have checked in. Los Angeles is another team Friedman mentioned as one Nikishin is interested in, though he questioned whether the Kings can make the deal work while fitting the salary in.
For now, Carolina is sticking to its timeline. Friedman said the Hurricanes were disappointed the Rangers deal fell apart, and because they hold the leverage, they intend to keep this on their terms.
There’s another layer here, too. Friedman said Carolina is also interested in Connor Hellebuyck and thinks there’s a chance he ends up there.
Nikishin, however, is not signing in Winnipeg. That has led the Hurricanes to let Nikishin’s new representation speak with certain teams, both to explore a trade for him and to see whether there’s a path that could help facilitate a Hellebuyck deal.
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