Overview

• Alexander Nikishin signed a two-year, entry-level NHL contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on April 11, 2025, following the termination of his KHL deal with SKA Saint Petersburg.
• The 23-year-old defenseman captained SKA Saint Petersburg and became the franchise's all-time leading scorer among defensemen with 46 points in 61 games last season.
• Nikishin's addition is seen as a strategic move to address the Hurricanes' powerplay struggles, where they rank 24th in the NHL this season.
• Hurricanes management praised Nikishin's size, skill, and leadership, emphasizing his readiness to contribute immediately to their playoff run.
• His arrival highlights a growing trend of NHL teams leveraging international talent for playoff competitiveness, with Nikishin expected to make an immediate impact on both ends of the ice.