Alexander Nikishin to Miss Start of Hurricanes Camp While Unsigned

Alexander Nikishin will miss the start of Carolina Hurricanes training camp while he remains unsigned.

General manager Eric Tulsky said Wednesday that the restricted free agent defenseman will not be on the ice when Carolina opens camp Thursday.

"Alexander Nikishin is not under contract currently, so he will not be at camp when we hit the ice on Thursday," Tulsky said in a statement. "We won't be commenting further at this time."

Coach Rod Brind'Amour said on The Fan Hockey Show that Carolina would continue preparing whether or not the sides reach an agreement.

"Whether they figure that out or not, who knows?" Brind'Amour said. "If he's here, great. If he's not, we're moving on. So we don't have a choice there."

Nikishin, 24, recorded 11 goals and 22 assists for 33 points in 81 games during his first full NHL regular season. He added one assist in 17 playoff games as Carolina won the Stanley Cup.

The Hurricanes selected Nikishin 69th overall in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut during the 2024-25 playoffs and is now a restricted free agent after his entry-level contract expired.