The Carolina Hurricanes and restricted free-agent defenseman Alexander Nikishin ended their stalemate Sunday, agreeing to a one-year contract worth $3 million, the team announced.
"We're glad that Alexander is returning to our group," Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky said. "This has been a long process, but we look forward to him re-entering our locker room ready to contribute with the Hurricanes, as he did during a Stanley Cup championship season last year."
Nikishin reportedly requested a trade early in the 2026 offseason.
The 25-year-old had very little leverage as an RFA, as he wasn't eligible for arbitration or an offer sheet.
He'll be an RFA again next offseason with arbitration rights. He's eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in 2029.
Nikishin tallied 11 goals and 33 points in 81 games last season, finishing seventh in Calder Trophy voting. The 6-foot-3 rookie had a reduced role in the postseason, with his average time on ice dropping over three minutes. He managed just one assist in 17 postseason appearances.
The Hurricanes drafted Nikishin in the third round of the 2020 draft. His stock skyrocketed as a prospect while playing in Russia, where he led all KHL defensemen in scoring in back-to-back seasons in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
