Alexander Nikishin signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday.
The 25-year-old defenseman has yet to play this season. He became a restricted free agent July 1 after he had 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) and averaged 18:11 of ice time in 81 regular-season games as a rookie last season.
His 11 goals set a Carolina/Hartford Whalers record for a rookie at his position ahead of Justin Faulk's eight in 66 games of the 2011-12 season and his 33 points were second to Brad Shaw's 35 for the Whalers in 1989-90.
Nikishin was on the ice with teammates for the first time this season on Tuesday as an extra at the morning skate prior to the Hurricanes hosting the Boston Bruins (8 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN360).
Carolina (9-2-2) leads the NHL with 20 points.
"It's been hard, obviously, overall," Nikishin said Tuesday in comments translated by Hurricanes forward Andrei Svechnikov. "Being without the team, in America just waiting and not knowing what is going to happen.
It was hard, but now it's all good.
Nikishin, named to the 2025-26 NHL All-Rookie Team, had one assist in 17 Stanley Cup Playoff games to help the Hurricanes win their first championship since 2006.
"He said he’s ready," Svechnikov said. "He (wants) to play sooner, but he's got to do the program, skating and practicing.
Hopefully he can play soon.
A third-round pick (No. 69) by Carolina in the 2020 NHL Draft, Nikishin made his NHL debut on May 15, 2025, playing 10:33 in a 3-1 win against the Washington Capitals in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Second Round that sent the Hurricanes to the Eastern Conference Final.
"These things happen. We understand.
And now we just move on, go forward," Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "He needs time.
His training camp, Day 1, kind of started today, and we will fast-track that as need be. But it’s at least good to get him in here and get going.
NHL.com independent correspondent Kurt Dusterberg contributed to this report
