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NHL Trade Rumors: Will Carolina Hurricanes Dangle D Alexander Nikishin, Make Another Big Move?

Jeff Hawkins Written by Sports EditorJeff Hawkins
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NHL Trade Rumors: Will Carolina Hurricanes Dangle D Alexander Nikishin, Make Another Big Move?

The Carolina Hurricanes have NHL trade deadline history.

Saturday marked the one-year anniversary of the three-team trade, highlighted by the Hurricanes landing Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall. Rantanen ended up dressing for 13 games with the Hurricanes before being jettisoned to the Dallas Stars for Logan Stankoven at the deadline.

Will the Hurricanes create more drama before the Olympic roster freeze (Feb. 4-22)? Or wait until the March 6 trade deadline?

NHL trade rumors point to general manager Eric Tulsky targeting St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas for rookie defenseman Alexander Nikishin.

NHL Trade Rumors Say Trade Winds Blowing For Hurricanes

Is the proposed deal lopsided?

As reported on The Sheet with Jeff Marek podcast, @FourthPeriod suggested the Hurricanes could dangle Nikishin, but only “if they’re bringing that caliber of player back.”

One interesting scenario would include Thomas, a top-six forward in virtually any lineup. The Blues entered Saturday ranked second-to-last in the Western Conference and likely remain interested in acquiring a rebuilding piece like Nikishin.

An offensive, left-shot defender, Nikishin had debuted with six goals, 14 assists and a plus-12 rating in his opening 50 appearances.

The Hurricanes, who ranked first in the Metropolitan Division, could help rejuvenate Thomas, who compiled 309 points during his previous four campaigns with the Blues. In 42 outings this season, Thomas entered Saturday with 11 goals among 33 points in 42 games.

A 2017 No. 20 overall draft pick by the Blues, Thomas could benefit from a fresh environment and a shot to compete in the Stanley Cup playoffs. He appeared in 21 playoff games as a rookie, helping the Blues claim the 2019 Cup.

The previous spring, Thomas posted 32 playoff points, fueling the Hamilton Bulldogs to the AHL’s Calder Cup.

If Tulsky engineers a deal for Thomas, the Hurricanes would have a long-term, up-the-middle solution. He’s competing in the third of an 8-year deal at $8.125 million per season.

Thomas could be a natural fit slotted next to Hall or Nikolaj Ehlers.

 

Jeff Hawkins Written by Sports EditorJeff Hawkins
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  
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