Hurricanes ink D Alexander Nikishin for two-year deal
The Carolina Hurricanes inked a two-year deal with Russian defenseman Alexander Nikishin on Friday.
The contract, which is at the entry-level, will pay him $832,500 for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons, along with a $185,000 signing bonus.
Nikishin, who is 23 years old, recorded 46 points (17 goals, 29 assists) in 61 games while serving as the captain for SKA St. Petersburg in 2024-25.
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\"We are appreciative of Alexander's time with SKA, a top European hockey team, which aided in his development into one of the most promising prospects in hockey,\" stated Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky. \"His size and skill have allowed him to achieve a record-breaking career in the KHL, and we believe he will make a significant impact in the NHL.\"
During the 2022-23 season, Nikishin set a new KHL record for scoring by a Russian-born defenseman with 55 points (11 goals, 44 assists) in 65 games. He then surpassed his own record in 2023-24 with 56 points (17 goals, 39 assists) in 67 games.
Over the past three seasons, Nikishin has been named KHL Defenseman of the Month seven times.
The Hurricanes selected Nikishin in the third round (69th overall) of the 2020 draft. He also won a silver medal with Russia at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Nikishin will join the Hurricanes in time for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The team has four regular-season games remaining before facing off against the New Jersey Devils in the first round.
