Top prospect Alexander Nikishin leaving KHL to join Hurricanes

You May Be Interested In:UK ministers accept proposals for major overhaul of prison policy


Nikishin’s KHL team SKA Saint Petersburg announced Friday that the defenceman has been granted his release to move to the NHL.

Shortly after that, the Hurricanes confirmed Nikishin has signed a two-year, entry-level contract that begins this season. The new deal will pay Nikishin $832,500 per season and includes a $185,000 signing bonus.

“We are grateful for Alexander’s time with SKA, a premier European hockey franchise, which helped him develop into one of the top prospects in hockey,” Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky said in a release. “His size and skill have allowed him to have a record-breaking career in the KHL, and we believe he will be an impactful player in the NHL.”

Nikishin, 23, was a third-round pick by the Hurricanes in the 2020 NHL Draft. He has spent the last three seasons with SKA, most recently as captain, and is coming off his second-straight 17-goal season from the blue line. He has 259 games of KHL experience over parts of five seasons with SKA and Moscow Spartak, and has scored 54 goals and 174 points in that time.

The Hurricanes will finish second in the Metropolitan Division and host the New Jersey Devils in the first round of the playoffs. Before that, the Hurricanes have four games remaining on the schedule. One of those games, Wednesday against the Canadiens, could see Nikishin face off against his former SKA teammate Ivan Demidov, who recently signed with Montreal.

share Paylaş facebook pinterest whatsapp x print

Similar Content

Abcarian: Transgender issues aren't a top voter concern. Why is Trump's campaign obsessed with them?
Abcarian: Transgender issues aren’t a top voter concern. Why is Trump’s campaign obsessed with them?
Biden administration to lift 'terrorism' designation on Cuba
Biden administration to lift ‘terrorism’ designation on Cuba
Hurricane Milton rips off Rays' Tropicana Field roof. It was built to withstand 115-mph winds
Hurricane Milton rips off Rays’ Tropicana Field roof. It was built to withstand 115-mph winds
Early voting is surging across the country. It's unclear who benefits
Early voting is surging across the country. It’s unclear who benefits
They didn't know they were citizens. Now they are expected to serve in the South Korean military
They didn’t know they were citizens. Now they are expected to serve in the South Korean military
What Americans Think Of The Biden Impeachment Inquiry
What Americans Think Of The Biden Impeachment Inquiry
Spotlight News | © 2025 | News