Alexander Nikishin headed to Hurricanes

Photo by Elsa/Getty Images***Update—The Canes have made this all official

BRINGING THE BOOM TO RALEIGH!!!

The #Canes have signed defenseman Alexander Nikishin to a two-year, entry-level contract

Details » https://t.co/JRuEVBIma9 pic.twitter.com/MJTh3qR30l

— x - Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) April 11, 2025 Alexander Nikishin, the star Russian defensman that the Carolina Hurricanes snagged in the third round of the 2020 NHL draft, looks to be headed to the United States and play with the team that drafted him.

His contact wasn’t due to expire with his KHL club SKA St. Petersburg until May 31, but SKA was ousted in the KHL playoffs and so discussions began between the club and the Hurricanes to go…