The Carolina Hurricanes have a strong history of developing elite defensemen, and that tradition looks set to continue with the arrival of Alexander Nikishin. At 6’4” and 216 lbs, this powerhouse from Russia is widely considered one of the top hockey prospects in the world. While he has spent his entire post-draft career in the KHL, making him relatively unknown outside of Hurricanes fans and dedicated prospect watchers, that’s about to change. With a rare combination of offensive firepower and sheer physical dominance, Nikishin is expected to make a major impact in the NHL potentially as soon as the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
A Rising Star on the Horizon
What makes Nikishin such an exciting prospect is his offensive production. Over the past two seasons, he has led all KHL defensemen in scoring, recording impressive back-to-back campaigns of 55 and 56 points. This year, he’s on pace for 48 points in 62 games, which would mark his lowest total with SKA St. Petersburg but also his highest goal tally at 18. His powerful slapshot from the point is a throwback skill not often seen in today’s NHL, and he excels at sneaking into open ice for scoring opportunities. With all the makings of a future power-play quarterback, Nikishin’s offensive potential is undeniable.
More Than Just a Scorer
Beyond his scoring ability, Nikishin also brings strong transitional play. He skates well, accelerates quickly through the neutral zone, and has a knack for slowing the game down to create passing lanes. While his overall passing skills are a strength, his decision-making can occasionally be risky, leading to turnovers in dangerous areas. With some refinement in this aspect of his game, he has the potential to become a complete offensive defenseman at the NHL level.
Notably, Nikishin has already made history in the KHL as the only defenseman to record three consecutive 40+ point seasons:
- 2022/23: 55 points
- 2023/24: 56 points
- 2024/25: 40+ points (with games still remaining)
Defensive Strengths and Areas for Growth
Nikishin’s imposing size gives him a physical edge in the defensive zone. He isn’t afraid to play with an edge, getting under opponents’ skin while clearing the crease with authority. His ability to box out attackers, win board battles, and control the net-front area is already at an NHL level.
However, his defensive awareness still needs some polishing. While he can accelerate quickly to engage in battles, he sometimes hesitates in reading plays, leaving open passing lanes. His gap control when defending against the rush is another area for improvement, as he occasionally gives too much space to attacking forwards. As he transitions to the NHL, developing a sharper defensive instinct and quicker reads will be key to his success.
Not a Question of If, But When
Despite some areas of refinement, Nikishin’s upside is enormous. His blend of offensive firepower, skating ability, and physical presence makes him a rare talent. NHL scouts are confident that with time, he will adapt and become a major force in North America.
The biggest question is when he will officially join the Hurricanes. General manager Eric Tulsky has already confirmed that the team intends to sign Nikishin as soon as his KHL contract expires on June 1st, 2025. If SKA St. Petersburg’s season ends early, there’s even a small chance he could arrive sooner. But the most likely scenario sees him in the Hurricanes’ lineup by Opening Day of the 2025-26 season.
For Carolina, patience will be key but all signs point to Nikishin being well worth the wait.
