Walt Ruff just reported that Rod Brind'Amour plans to put Alexander Nikishin in the Hurricanes lineup tonight against Chicago.
It would be the defenseman's first game of the 2026-27 season. Carolina has played 18 games without him, and the NHL's latest status report lists him as day-to-day, with the designation marked not injury related.
Ruff noted that Brind'Amour says the plan is for Nikishin to make his season debut tonight, and that the 25-year-old scored more goals last regular season than any other rookie defenseman in franchise history.
-
That total was 11 goals, a big number for a blueliner who arrived as a third-round pick, 69th overall, in 2020. Over his NHL career he has 81 games played, 33 points and a +18 rating.
The Hurricanes aren't exactly scrambling for answers. They sit first in the NHL at 13-3-2, and they beat the Islanders 5-3 on Thursday night.
What Nikishin walks into against Chicago
The timing is friendly. The Blackhawks are 31st in the league at 4-12-1, they've lost five straight, and they're 0-7-1 on the road.
Carolina is 5-1-1 at home, so this is about as soft a landing as a returning defenseman could ask for. Easing a puck-moving D back into the lineup against a team with a -30 goal differential is the smart play, and Brind'Amour knows it.
Nothing in the post says whose minutes he takes or which pairing he joins. That matters for a blue line that has been winning without him, and it won't stay quiet if he scores early.
Chicago visits Carolina tonight, with Nikishin's name now on the plan.
Quick hits
ST. LOUIS BLUES: Joel Hofer gets the start in goal in Nashville today, per Lou Korac. Mason McTavish is a game-time decision, which keeps the lineup murky until warmups.
-
BOSTON BRUINS: Mikey Eyssimont wasn't at practice this morning, one day after a hat trick in Hamilton, according to Jack Studley.
Skipping the skate after a three-goal night is the kind of detail that gets noticed.
-
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS: NHL Rosters reports the Leafs recalled defenseman Artur Akhytamov from the Marlies on game day against the Canadiens.
-
INJURY: The NHL's status report lists Miro Heiskanen as doubtful for the Stars tonight against the Sharks. Dallas could be thin on the back end if he sits.
-
WASHINGTON CAPITALS: Sammi Silber reports Logan Thompson starts in goal today against the Panthers, with no other lineup changes.
-
Should Alexander Nikishin go straight into the Hurricanes' lineup after missing the first 18 games?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
James Hagens injury update: Bruins get news they didn't want
