Friedman reports Hurricanes offer for Hellebuyck excludes Nikishin

Carolina had proposed a trade for Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck without including Alexander Nikishin, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Thursday, Oct. 22. The report describes an offer, with no agreement announced.

Speaking on Thursday’s episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, Friedman said people he spoke with Wednesday had told him the Hurricanes were pursuing a package that left out the defenceman. He said Carolina remained interested in Hellebuyck but had moved away from its earlier approach.

Friedman also cautioned against treating the revised proposal as a breakthrough. In his assessment, Winnipeg would probably have completed a trade already if the offer met its expectations. He did not disclose the other players or draft picks in the package.

Nikishin remains an unsigned restricted free agent after his two-year entry-level contract, Sportsnet reported. The defenceman requested a trade during the summer and did not attend Carolina’s September training camp.