Alexander Nikishin trade buzz grows as one team emerges as potential landing spot

Alexander Nikishin is once again at the center of NHL trade buzz, and this time the rumors might have real legs behind them.

The Carolina Hurricanes defenseman has spent the summer in a stalemate with the team that just won him a Stanley Cup, and a fresh report suggests a trade could finally end this saga.

Nikishin, 24, is a restricted free agent without arbitration rights or offer sheet eligibility, leaving him with almost no leverage in his standoff with Carolina.

He's reportedly seeking an AAV north of $8 million after a strong rookie season that saw him play 81 games and rack up 11 goals and 33 points.

The Hurricanes have been hesitant to commit that kind of long term money to a player with only one NHL season under his belt, especially after his role shrank during the playoffs.

That drop in usage during the Cup run hasn't gone unnoticed around the league, and it's part of why teams are circling.

The St. Louis Blues have surfaced as the latest name in the mix, according to a projection from The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford.

St. Louis is entering a transition season under new general manager Alexander Steen, and Nikishin's size and skill set fit what the Blues are trying to build on their blue line.

At 6 foot 3 and 218 pounds, Nikishin brings the kind of physical, left shot defenseman most contenders covet.

The question is whether St. Louis wants to pay him more than Philip Broberg's $8 million AAV, especially factoring in the trade cost on top of a new contract.

Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky has made clear the team is fielding calls on Nikishin but hasn't committed to moving him.

With camp approaching fast, Carolina will need to decide soon whether this stalemate ends in a bridge deal or a trade that reshapes their blue line.

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