Original Six team had Alexander Nikishin trade in place before contract talks collapsed

Alexander Nikishin almost became a New York Ranger.

According to Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts Podcast, the Rangers and Hurricanes had a trade in place for the restricted free agent defenseman, but it fell apart because New York couldn't land a contract agreement with him.

The sticking point was money.

Word is Nikishin was looking for about five years at $9 million per season, which is a huge number for a 24-year-old coming off a 33-point rookie year.

That is a big jump from his $925,000 cap hit.

The Hurricanes have no reason to rush.

Friedman believes they want the equivalent of two first-round picks, whether that means actual picks or players who were taken in the first round.

Nikishin is a restricted free agent with no arbitration rights and no offer sheet option, so Carolina holds most of the leverage.

Nikishin asked for a trade at the end of last season and never reported to camp.

His camp reportedly has permission to talk with other teams, and Friedman said the St. Louis Blues showed real interest for a while.

There is a goalie angle too.

Friedman thinks Carolina is still very interested in Connor Hellebuyck, and a three-way deal with Winnipeg could be one way to get both moves done.

That would let the Hurricanes move Nikishin while chasing the Jets goalie at the same time.

For now, nothing is settled. The Hurricanes open the season Tuesday at home against Florida with Nikishin's situation still unresolved.

Mike Sullivan's Rangers open Tuesday in Boston, so time is running short, and the next team that tries will have to solve the contract first or this could fall apart the exact same way.

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