- Oct 16, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Team logos and player headshots via ESPN.
The Carolina Hurricanes have signed defenseman Alexander Nikishin to a one-year, $3 million contract, ending a months-long stalemate with the restricted free agent.
Nikishin, 25, had gone unsigned since July 1 and sat out training camp plus the beginning of the regular season. He asked for a trade after the Hurricanes captured the Stanley Cup last summer and pursued a substantial raise and expanded role, per sources. The blueliner switched agents during the offseason and practiced in Florida alongside other players without contracts.
"We're glad that Alexander is returning to our group," Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky said.
Nikishin will be eligible for an offer sheet next summer and stays a restricted free agent. Carolina picked him in the third round of the 2020 NHL draft. He grew into an elite KHL defenseman before arriving in North America in 2025. As a rookie, he played 81 games and appeared in 17 playoff contests, skating 15:50 per night on average during the title run.
The Hurricanes have begun 9-2-2 despite injuries to forwards Taylor Hall and Jordan Staal, the captain. Seth Jarvis, who had surgery in the offseason, debuted last week.
Source: ESPN - Sun Oct 25, 6:00 PM ET
Written by the SportsMafia Wire desk in our own words from the original reporting (AI-assisted, checked against the source).