Alexander Nikishin May Have to Go Back to the Hurricanes: The Trade Request Mess

Alexander Nikishin wants out of Carolina. The Hurricanes aren’t in a hurry to oblige. And, unfortunately for Nikishin, the Hurricanes have the leverage here, something that got clearer with a couple of recent insider reports.

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According to Elliotte Friedman on his 32 Thoughts podcast, the start of the NHL season has shifted the trade situation in Carolina’s favor. Unless a tentative deal has already been worked out, Nikishin may eventually have to return to the Hurricanes. Should he not, he’s losing leverage by the day.

Carolina is in no hurry to cater to his wants. They have $9.8 million in salary-cap space and sit at 3-1-1 on the season. As the defending Stanley Cup champions, they’re a team built on players taking team-friendly deals to remain competitive. He’s yet to prove what he’s worth and the Hurricanes aren’t about to make a sizeable bet.

They also don’t have to.

Nikishin’s Contract Status Works Against Him

The contract rules are also working against the defenceman. Nikishin, a 25-year-old restricted free agent with one year of NHL experience, remains ineligible for an offer sheet, according to Frank Seravalli. He needs to play 10 professional games this season for the campaign to count toward his NHL experience, which means sitting out keeps that door closed.

Seravalli also noted that Nikishin is not a true restricted free agent under the CBA’s definition. He is a “10.2(c)” player without the right of first refusal via an offer sheet. That also means the in-season cap hit increase affecting other players, such as Detroit’s Simon Edvinsson, doesn’t apply to him. Whatever Nikishin signs now will count against the cap like a typical contract. The Dec. 1 deadline for RFAs to sign and be eligible this season doesn’t apply to him either.

In other words, Nikishin can’t use the threat of an offer sheet to speed things up. He’s ineligible.

That doesn’t mean a trade is off the table. The Hurricanes have been working with Nikishin’s new agent, Paul Theofanous, to try to find a deal. Friedman has also discussed Carolina’s pursuit of Connor Hellebuyck and why a trade involving both players could be possible. It would likely need a third team to get involved.

The road is long for Nikishin if his plan is to sit and wait this out. His team is under no obligation to do anything and if they keep winning or the situation in Winnipeg keeps getting uglier, his odds of getting what he wants continue to decrease.

Next: Hellebuyck’s Holdout Now Has a Price Tag, and Jets Fans Are Tracking It