Alexander Nikishin suddenly sits at the centre of a massive trade storyline for Rod Brind'Amour and the Carolina Hurricanes.
Elliotte Friedman dropped a major clue Friday while discussing Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and Carolina's apparent interest in making a blockbuster work.
Friedman said that if Winnipeg wanted to do a Nikishin deal for Hellebuyck, it “would probably be done already.” That's a revealing line about where the talks have stalled.
The issue isn't necessarily Nikishin's talent. Friedman pointed directly toward what Winnipeg views as a signability problem surrounding the Hurricanes defenceman.
Nikishin just produced 11 goals and 33 points across 81 regular-season games for Carolina. At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, he's already a major piece of Brind'Amour's blue line.
Elliotte Friedman: “If the Jets wanted to do a Nikishin deal [for Hellebuyck] it would probably be done already.”
He continued, “I think the Jets feel that there is a signability issue there….I don't think [acquiring and instantly flipping Nikishin] appealed to them at all.”
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But Friedman's comments suggest the Jets weren't prepared to build a Hellebuyck move around a player whose long-term situation could immediately create another problem for them.
Winnipeg wasn't sold on the Nikishin solution
There was another wrinkle. Friedman said acquiring Nikishin and then instantly flipping him elsewhere didn't appeal to Winnipeg either.
That makes the situation much more interesting for Carolina. The Hurricanes can offer a young defenceman with enormous value, yet that specific asset apparently hasn't opened the door to Hellebuyck.
Nikishin's contract situation only adds pressure. His current deal carries a $925000 cap hit, while his status entering the season has already created questions about his future in Carolina.
For the Jets, moving Hellebuyck would be a franchise-altering decision. Kevin Cheveldayoff would need a return that fits Winnipeg's roster plan rather than simply collecting the most attractive name available.
And that's where Carolina appears to have run into resistance. A Nikishin-centered framework sounds massive on paper, but Winnipeg's concern changes the equation completely.
The Hurricanes' interest becomes even more fascinating because landing Hellebuyck would reshape their crease overnight while removing one of their most valuable young pieces from the blue line.
Friedman's wording stops short of confirming that Carolina formally placed a straight Nikishin-for-Hellebuyck offer on Winnipeg's desk. But it strongly indicates that Nikishin has been part of the trade conversation - and the Jets haven't been convinced.
Should the Hurricanes trade Alexander Nikishin to land Connor Hellebuyck?
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