Hurricanes' Alexander Nikishin's Early-Season Production Is Being Overlooked
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin is off to a strong start in the 2025-26 season, yet his contributions seem to be flying under the radar. The 24-year-old Russian defenseman, drafted 69th overall in 2020, is showcasing his potential and making a case for the Calder Trophy as the league's best rookie.
Through the first 11 games, Nikishin has tallied two goals and four assists for six points while maintaining a plus-10 rating. Beyond the raw numbers, Nikishin's ice presence and growing confidence are evident. He's averaging 19:47 of ice time per game and has recorded 21 shots on goal. His Corsi For percentage (CF%) of 54.4 indicates that the Hurricanes control the puck more often than not when he's on the ice.
Nikishin's recent performance includes a goal against Boston, where he scored with a slap shot in the third period. He also had a goal and an assist in his previous two games.
Several factors contribute to Nikishin's increased role and production. Injuries to key defensemen have thrust him into a top-pairing role, increasing his ice time and responsibilities. Coach Rod Brind'Amour has shown faith in the rookie, even giving him a chance to quarterback the second power-play unit. Nikishin's experience running a power play in Russia is now being utilized in the NHL.
"Well, it's a necessity," said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour on October 31st. "We're missing the number one guy there, so it's pushing everybody up or into different spots, but he has that ability".
Nikishin's ability to log big minutes has not gone unnoticed. He played a career-high 27:33 minutes in a game, demonstrating the coaching staff's trust in his abilities. While he is currently playing on the third pairing and may not get regular power-play time, his offensive contributions may be limited in the long run.
Standing at 6'3" and weighing 218 lbs, Nikishin possesses the size and strength to compete at the NHL level. His physical attributes, combined with his puck-moving abilities and eagerness to shoot, make him a valuable asset to the Hurricanes.
While it's still early in the season, Alexander Nikishin is proving that he can be a significant contributor to the Carolina Hurricanes. His early-season performance warrants more attention as he continues to develop and gain experience in the NHL. As injuries subside and the Hurricanes' defensive core returns to full strength, it will be interesting to see how Nikishin's role evolves and whether he can maintain his impressive production.
