Carolina Hurricanes

Blues Remain Interested in Trade for Hurricanes Stud Defenseman

Are the St. Louis Blues taking a serious look at an Alexander Niksihin trade? Is there a salary cap catch?

by
NHL Trade Talk
August 4, 2026

The St. Louis Blues have added plenty of young talent this offseason, and they’re reportedly still pursuing another piece on the left side of their blue line: Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin. According to Julian Gaudio of The Hockey News, rumors have connected the Blues to Nikishin since earlier this offseason.

Carolina signaled it would listen to trade offers on the 24-year-old restricted free agent, who remains unsigned. His name has popped up several times since. The ask is high, and he might not be moved, but Carolina is open to the idea, and teams have called, the Blues among them.

Nikishin made his long-awaited NHL debut near the end of the 2024-25 season and played his first full year in 2025-26, posting 11 goals and 23 points in 81 games. He finished seventh in Calder Trophy voting, earned a spot on the NHL All-Rookie team, and played 17 playoff games as Carolina won the Stanley Cup.

Despite that performance, the Hurricanes appear open to moving on, largely because of their existing left-side depth — Jaccob Slavin, K’Andre Miller, and Shayne Gostisbehere all occupy that side of Carolina’s blue line. Gaudio writes, “With the defensive situation in Carolina and the rumored asking price for Nikishin around $8 million, it makes sense that the Hurricanes are gauging the market. With no resolution in sight, teams will keep calling, and according to The Athletic‘s Jeremy Rutherford, the Blues remain one of the leading candidates.”

The Blues might see a scenario where pairing him with Philip Broberg would give the Blues a formidable left-side defensive pairing for years to come.

The complication is money and the fact that the Hurricanes might be trying to dump another player in the deal. Carolina has also been looking to move Jesperi Kotkaniemi‘s $4.82 million salary, and there’s speculation the Hurricanes could try to attach him to any Nikishin trade. Taking on both contracts could mean absorbing roughly $13 million in additional cap hit — a tough ask for most teams, including the Blues.

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