yardbarker
Throughout the offseason, the St. Louis Blues have bolstered their roster with youthful talent, yet they continue to target another left-shot defenseman. According to Julian Gaudio of The Hockey News, the Blues have been linked to Carolina Hurricanes' Alexander Nikishin since the early stages of the offseason.
The Hurricanes have indicated a willingness to entertain trade proposals for the 24-year-old restricted free agent, who has yet to sign a new deal. Nikishin's name has surfaced multiple times in trade discussions, with Carolina open to moving him despite a steep asking price. The Blues are among the teams that have expressed interest.
Nikishin made his NHL debut late in the 2024-25 season and played a full campaign in 2025-26, recording 11 goals and 23 points across 81 games. His performance earned him seventh place in Calder Trophy voting and a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team, and he contributed to Carolina's Stanley Cup victory with 17 playoff appearances.
Despite his impressive showing, the Hurricanes seem inclined to part ways, largely due to their surplus on the left side of the blue line. Jaccob Slavin, K'Andre Miller, and Shayne Gostisbehere all occupy that position on Carolina's defensive corps. Gaudio noted that given Carolina's defensive situation and the rumored $8 million asking price for Nikishin, it's logical for the Hurricanes to explore the market.
Key Analysis
The Blues might envision a long-term left-side pairing of Nikishin with Philip Broberg, which could become a formidable duo for years. However, financial complications loom, as the Hurricanes may attempt to offload another contract in any deal. Carolina has been looking to move Jesperi Kotkaniemi and his $4.82 million salary, and speculation suggests they could attach him to a Nikishin trade. Taking on both players would mean absorbing roughly $13 million in additional cap hit, a challenging proposition for most teams, including the Blues.
As negotiations remain unresolved, interested teams will persist in their inquiries. According to The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford, the Blues continue to be a leading candidate to land Nikishin, though the financial hurdles must be overcome.
Originally reported by yardbarker.