Nearly a month into the season, Alexander Nikishin and the Carolina Hurricanes are still stuck in the same place.
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported that the two sides remain at a standstill, with Carolina still holding a one-year offer for the restricted free-agent defenseman. Nikishin, for his part, has not signed it and continues to seek a trade. LeBrun also said the Hurricanes nearly moved him last year, but Nikishin declined to sign an extension with that potential destination.
For now, Carolina can afford to wait. The defending Stanley Cup champions have opened the year with 18 points in their first 12 games, and because Nikishin is a 10.2(c) RFA, the team does not have to get him under contract by December 1. In theory, the Hurricanes could even hold off until the trade deadline if they wanted him to be eligible for the postseason.
Elsewhere, the New York Rangers cleared room after adding veteran Luke Glendening yesterday. The club announced that Justin Dowling has been sent down to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. Dowling, 36, picked up one assist in four games during his stint with New York.
In Dallas, the Stars are still waiting for more clarity on Radek Faksa. Lia Assimakopoulos of the Dallas Morning News reported that the bottom-six forward is being evaluated after leaving the Stars’ recent win over the Winnipeg Jets. He is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, and Dallas is expected to have a better read on his status tomorrow.
In Other News...
Hurricanes Fans Just Got Another Way To Watch This Season
Hurricanes fans picked up another viewing option this week as DIRECTV reached a multi-year agreement to carry Hurricanes Hockey Network broadcasts. The deal brings pregame, postgame and live game coverage to certain DIRECTV and U-verse subscribers inside the teams broadcast territory, adding one more place to find Carolina on the air when the season gets rolling.
The reach of the agreement goes beyond living rooms, too, with Hurricanes Hockey Network distribution also headed to commercial venues served by DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS. For a fan base that already has to track games across Prime Video, Spectrum and Fubo, it is another useful piece of access in a market where how you watch can matter almost as much as what youre watching. [Read more 🡒]
Seth Jarvis Just Reminded Hurricanes Fans What They Were Missing
Seth Jarvis slipped right back into the Hurricanes lineup and into the sort of role that makes his absence so noticeable. Activated from injured reserve and back on the ice for Carolina against the Edmonton Oilers, Jarvis returned for his first game since June after recovering from shoulder surgery, giving the team an immediate jolt with his pace, energy and willingness to get involved all over the rink.
Jarvis did not sound like a player interested in treating the night as a finished product, either, noting there is still work to do on the defensive side. Even so, his return offered a reminder of why Carolina has missed him, with a goal in his comeback showing that the impact can come quickly when he is healthy and around the puck. [Read more 🡒]
Hurricanes Get One More Tough Test Before This Road Trip Ends
The Hurricanes have already banked five of eight possible points on this road trip, and the last stop before heading home brings another test in St. Louis. The Blues look different than they did a year ago after an offseason that included moving Jordan Kyrou and bringing in Connor McMichael, while Mason McTavish has quickly become one of their more important offensive pieces.
Carolina is still navigating a thin lineup, even with Seth Jarvis back in the mix, and the injury list remains part of the story as the trip wears on. St. Louis is dealing with its own health concerns, so this one has the feel of a matchup where depth and discipline may matter as much as the top lines, especially with the road trip winding down and both clubs trying to sort out where they stand. [Read more 🡒]