MOSCOW, August 5 American journalist and author of the National Hockey League (NHL) website Tom Gulitti predicted the transfer of Russian defenseman of St. Petersburg SKA Alexander Nikishin to the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2024/25 season.
Nikishin was selected by Carolina in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft under the 69th overall pick. The 22-year-old Russian's contract with SKA runs until May 31, 2025.
The Hurricanes are looking forward to acquiring Nikishin, who led the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in points among defensemen the last two seasons, later this season. His contract with SKA St. Petersburg is coming to an end, and Carolina expects the Russian to join the team at the end of the KHL season,» Gulitti wrote in his column, noting in his forecast that Nikishin will join Carolina in the 2024/25 season.
At the same time, the journalist added a quote from Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky to the text, saying that the club expects Nikishin to join the team only after the Russian's contract with SKA expires.
Over two seasons with the St. Petersburg club, Alexander Nikishin played a total of 153 games in the regular championships and playoffs of the KHL, scoring 120 points (33 goals and 87 assists). The defenseman also played in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) for Spartak Moscow, from where he moved to SKA as a result of a trade.