Alexander Nikishin Sends a Message in First NHL Fight: Don’t Poke the Bear
If the rest of the NHL didn’t know Alexander Nikishin’s name before, they do now - and they’ll likely think twice before challenging him again.
The 24-year-old Carolina Hurricanes defenseman made an emphatic statement Thursday night, not with a slapshot or a bone-rattling hit (though he had those, too), but with his fists. Nikishin dropped the gloves for the first time in his NHL career and delivered a decisive beatdown to Chicago Blackhawks forward Oliver Moore - a fight that was short, one-sided, and impossible to ignore.
Let’s set the scene.
Midway through the game, Nikishin laid a heavy hit on Chicago’s Nick Lardis along the boards. It was the kind of clean, physical play you expect from a defenseman with Nikishin’s size and edge.
But it didn’t sit well with Moore, who immediately came in to defend his teammate. He challenged Nikishin, and after a moment’s hesitation, the Hurricanes rookie obliged.
That’s when things escalated - fast.
Moore, listed at 5-foot-11 and 188 pounds, was giving up serious size to the 6-foot-3, 218-pound Nikishin. And it showed.
Once the gloves were off, Nikishin wasted no time, landing three quick, punishing rights that stunned Moore. A fourth punch followed as Moore was already going down, sealing the fight in a matter of seconds.
Moore skated off with a visible cut on his face and a look that said it all - that was a mistake. And as if the physical toll wasn’t enough, the timing couldn’t have been worse: it was Moore’s 21st birthday. Not exactly the celebration he had in mind.
Nikishin, meanwhile, didn’t celebrate or showboat. He simply skated to the box, job done.
It was a moment that reinforced what scouts and fans have been saying for months - this kid is the real deal. He brings size, skill, and now, clearly, a willingness to stand up for himself when challenged.
What makes it even more impressive is that Nikishin didn’t initiate the fight. He wasn’t looking for trouble. But when it came to him, he responded with authority - and then some.
There’s a growing list of reasons why Nikishin is quickly becoming a fan favorite in Carolina. His booming slapshot, his physical presence on the blue line, and now, his ability to handle himself when things get heated. It’s rare to see a rookie bring this kind of complete package right out of the gate.
The Hurricanes have something special in Nikishin - and the rest of the league is starting to find that out the hard way.