Prospect Info: #69(nice)OA - Hurricanes select LHD Alexander Nikishin (Spartak - KHL)

[AhosDatsyukian]

I'm not talking about playing style, but more about where I envision Nikishin in an NHL lineup. I think that on an elite team, he'd be the kind of 4/5 guy that can anchor the bottom pair for years if he pans out.

He could be that next year. 2-3+ years from now he could easily develop into a clear top 4 guy.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

Added another primary assist after that. Kid is an absolute stud.

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

We should draft whoever made that pass.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

He could be that next year. 2-3+ years from now he could easily develop into a clear top 4 guy.

I'm still skeptical about that, but who knows? He certainly looks pretty good right now versus men, so maybe his stock goes up with me if he continues this pace.

 

[CanesFanBudMan]

As of now (elite prospects version of now) he is tied for 3rd in points among defensemen with Kaski (among others) in the KHL. He has 4 points in 5 games, compared to 5 points in 20 games last year. Looks like he has taken a considerable step forward in the second best league in the world.

Also, I see the smaller ice surface in the NHL being a benefit to his game once he is able to adjust for it. Would not be superseded to see him at all next year - as long as his KHL contract is ending.

 

[DaveG]

As of now (elite prospects version of now) he is tied for 3rd in points among defensemen with Kaski (among others) in the KHL. He has 4 points in 5 games, compared to 5 points in 20 games last year. Looks like he has taken a considerable step forward in the second best league in the world.

Also, I see the smaller ice surface in the NHL being a benefit to his game once he is able to adjust for it. Would not be superseded to see him at all next year - as long as his KHL contract is ending.

Signed through the end of 22/23 unfortunately. I'm just hoping we can get him under contract following that season because his KHL team is going to be able to throw a ton of money at him. Not the absolutely stupid amounts that they were to keep guys like Kaprizov as long as they did a few years back, but certainly better than an ELC contract.

 

[Stickpucker]

I love it when Boom Boom sneaks down the back door like that.

I didn't know you two were that close.

 

[Surrounded By Ahos]

I didn't know you two were that close.

What can I say, much like @3CanesInTheBox I have a thing for Russian men

 

[WreckingCrew]

I love it when Boom Boom sneaks down the back door like that.

That's called a shart...

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

I love it when Boom Boom sneaks down the back door like that.

It’s a special skill.

 

[Unsustainable]

Hurricanes Prospect Profile: Alexander Nikishin

 

[Unsustainable]

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

Its either really crazy or really smart that Nishikin plays that low.

 

[bleedgreen]

There’s never anything really “smart” about it. It’s a chance you take when over here. It works or it doesn’t. Depends how responsible the rest of the team is in recognizing it. If the coach supports free flow like that over there than it’s just “the way”.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

There’s never anything really “smart” about it. It’s a chance you take when over here. It works or it doesn’t. Depends how responsible the rest of the team is in recognizing it. If the coach supports free flow like that over there than it’s just “the way”.

It can be smart if it's within a system that is designed to alleviate the risk of the D man jumping up, and if it's timed well by a defenseman with superior offensive instincts. But yeah of course it's always a risk. I'd like to see Boom with Pesce one day.

 

[Svechhammer]

So realistically, how quickly could he end up over here and contributing? Everything I've seen about him leads me to believe he's gonna be a really good defenseman, bringing a very physical presence that we have needed for years and years.

Definitely excited about his potential.

 

[MinJaBen]

So realistically, how quickly could he end up over here and contributing? Everything I've seen about him leads me to believe he's gonna be a really good defenseman, bringing a very physical presence that we have needed for years and years.

Definitely excited about his potential.

I think it will be at least two more years just due to contract options he has due to the KHL players being better paid than AHL players.

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

So realistically, how quickly could he end up over here and contributing? Everything I've seen about him leads me to believe he's gonna be a really good defenseman, bringing a very physical presence that we have needed for years and years.

Definitely excited about his potential.

If we get a normal off-season maybe we can get him over here for a prospect camp and convince him to come over.

 

[AD Skinner]

Was this play right off a face off? Hard to tell but if the faceoff in that zone got won to him, or to the other defender who then passed across to him, its not that wild that he'd take it down the wall and then hang out a second to see if a pass or rebound came his way. It did so clearly he knew the plan or at least the tendencies of his teammates

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

So realistically, how quickly could he end up over here and contributing? Everything I've seen about him leads me to believe he's gonna be a really good defenseman, bringing a very physical presence that we have needed for years and years.

Definitely excited about his potential.

His KHL contract is through the 2023/24 season, so it'll be quite some time. I suspect he'll come over right after that and immediately slot into a top 4 spot. I'm extremely high on him though, he could start on a 3rd pair but I think he'll prove to be much better than that right from the start here.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

Also, it lines up absolutely perfectly with Brady Skjei's contract ending after the 2023/24 season. He can slot right in next to Pesce when his KHL contract is up and Skjei walks after his current contract is up. Can't ask for better timing.

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

His KHL contract is through the 2023/24 season, so it'll be quite some time. I suspect he'll come over right after that and immediately slot into a top 4 spot. I'm extremely high on him though, he could start on a 3rd pair but I think he'll prove to be much better than that right from the start here.

Highly doubt we take a guy and immediately slot him in the top 4.

KHL contract doesn’t matter except that he may not take an AHL stint.

we should go into next season with a prospect camp invite. He can win the bottom LHD role with a strong training camp as well. He’ll battle Sellgren and a veteran league minimum signing for 3LD. Let him work his way up to taking over Skjei’s spot for 2 seasons. If he doesn’t win the spot, he’ll go back to Russia and try again in 22-23.

 

[MinJaBen]

Also, it lines up absolutely perfectly with Brady Skjei's contract ending after the 2023/24 season. He can slot right in next to Pesce when his KHL contract is up and Skjei walks after his current contract is up. Can't ask for better timing.

This of course assumes we can resign Pesce. I have my doubts.

 

[Svechhammer]

His KHL contract is through the 2023/24 season, so it'll be quite some time. I suspect he'll come over right after that and immediately slot into a top 4 spot. I'm extremely high on him though, he could start on a 3rd pair but I think he'll prove to be much better than that right from the start here.

Is there an NHL/KHL agreement where we won't step on each other's toes, contract-wise? That is, if he really blows up, is there really no way we could get him over here because of that contract?

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

Is there an NHL/KHL agreement where we won't step on each other's toes, contract-wise? That is, if he really blows up, is there really no way we could get him over here because of that contract?

No KHL / NHL agreement. He can contact over tomorrow if he wants to and we owe his KHL squad nothing.