The Carolina Hurricanes are considering a trade involving defenceman Alexander Nikishin, according to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger.
The 24-year-old is a pending restricted free agent, so the club is weighing the trade interest against an extension for the young blueliner, Dreger adds.
Nikishin had 11 goals and 33 points in 81 games last season for the Hurricanes, his first full year in the NHL, also adding one assist in 17 playoff games en route to winning the Stanley Cup.
The Orel, Russia native was selected in the third round (69th overall) by the Hurricanes in the 2020 NHL Draft. He is SKA St. Petersburg’s all-time leader in points by a defenceman with 177.
The club got their of-season started during their Stanley Cup parade, announcing a two-year extension for forward Nicolas Deslauriers.
The Hurricanes have just over $11 million in projected cap space, per PuckPedia with 21 players under contract for next season. Goaltender Frederik Andersen and defenceman Mike Reilly are the team’s only pending unrestricted free agents, while Nikishin is their lone RFA.
