| April 2, 2026 |
Nikishin scored a shorthanded goal Thursday in a 5-1 win over the Blue Jackets. - Nikishin's shorthanded goal was the first by a rookie defenseman in franchise history, including the Hartford Whalers period. He sits 13th in rookie scoring overall this season (11 goals, 19 assists). Nikishin has returned the top power-play role to Shayne Gostisbehere, but it's clear he has the ability to play maestro with the man advantage. His future as a true number one will arrive very soon. |
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| March 21, 2026 |
Nikishin scored a goal on four shots and added two PIM in Friday's 4-3 overtime win over the Maple Leafs. - The goal, Nikishin's 10th of the season, came 41 seconds into overtime. He has three goals and two assists over his last seven contests and has played a larger power-play role recently in the absence of Shayne Gostisbehere (lower body). Nikishin has 27 points, 110 shots on net, 115 hits, 74 blocked shots, 29 PIM and a plus-12 rating over 68 outings as a rookie this season. |
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| March 11, 2026 |
Nikishin scored a power-play goal and added an even-strength assist in Tuesday's 5-4 shootout win over Pittsburgh. - Both points came in the third period, with the power-play tally being his fourth of the season and second in as many games. Nikishin has taken over the top spot with the man advantage for the Hurricanes while Shayne Gostisbehere (lower body) is sidelined, and the 24-year-old rookie is running with the opportunity. On the season, Nikishin has nine goals and 25 points in 63 games, including eight power-play points. |
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| March 7, 2026 |
Nikishin scored a power-play goal, added two hits and blocked two shots in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Flames. - Nikishin is in for a short-term boost on the power play while Shayne Gostisbehere (lower body) is sidelined. The goal Saturday ended Nikishin's seven-game point drought, so a few more looks in prime situations may be just what he needs to reignite his offense. The rookie defenseman is at eight goals, 23 points (seven on the power play), 97 shots on net, 109 hits, 70 blocked shots and a plus-11 rating over 62 outings this season. |
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| Feb. 1, 2026 |
Nikishin scored a goal on two shots in Sunday's 3-2 overtime win over the Kings. - Nikishin has earned two goals, six points, 21 shots on net, 19 hits and 11 blocked shots over his last 12 outings. The defenseman's third-period tally Sunday put the Hurricanes ahead 2-0, though the Kings got on the board just 24 seconds later. Nikishin is up to seven goals, 22 points, 86 shots, 99 hits, 62 blocked shots and a plus-10 rating over 54 appearances this season. |
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| Jan. 17, 2026 |
Nikishin scored a power-play goal on three shots, dished an assist, added two PIM and went plus-2 in Friday's 9-1 win over the Panthers. - Nikishin is up to two goals and four assists over nine outings in January. The defenseman could be in line for extra power-play time while Shayne Gostisbehere (lower body) works his way back to health. Nikishin has six goals, 20 points, 72 shots on net, 87 hits, 57 blocked shots and a plus-12 rating over 47 appearances this season. |
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| Jan. 2, 2026 |
Nikishin scored a goal and added an assist, both on the power play, in Thursday's 7-5 loss to the Canadiens. - Nikishin's performance Thursday was his first multi-point effort at the NHL level. The 24-year-old blueliner has been a little streaky in his rookie year, but he has three points over his last three contests and could be warming up again. Nikishin is at five goals, 16 points, 64 shots on net, 77 hits, 50 blocked shots and a plus-11 rating across 39 appearances. He's not quite a fantasy star yet, but he has the all-around skill set that should help him get there within a couple of years. |
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| Dec. 27, 2025 |
Nikishin (ankle) is expected to play Saturday versus Detroit. - Nikishin appeared to sustain an ankle injury against Florida on Tuesday, but it seems he won't miss a game due to the issue. He has four goals, 13 points, 69 hits and 46 blocked shots across 35 appearances in 2025-26. |
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| Dec. 23, 2025 |
Nikishin was seen icing his right ankle in the locker room following Tuesday's game versus the Panthers, and head coach Rod Brind'Amour didn't have an update on the defenseman's status, Cory Lavalette of The North State Journal reports. - Nikishin's injury could complicate things for the Hurricanes, who are also missing Jaccob Slavin (upper body). Nikishin will have some time to rest ahead of Saturday's game versus the Red Wings. |
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| Dec. 14, 2025 |
Nikishin scored a goal and added two hits in Saturday's 4-3 shootout win over the Flyers. - Nikishin has a goal and an assist over his last two games. However, even with the goal Saturday, he was down to a season-low 13:26 of ice time. The 24-year-old has done a fine job with 11 points, 51 shots on net, 62 hits, 39 blocked shots and a plus-11 rating over 30 appearances. He could get pinched out of the lineup at times once Jaccob Slavin (lower body) returns to action, though it's also possible the Hurricanes could send him to AHL Chicago to keep his workload up with bigger minutes with the farm team. |
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| Nov. 28, 2025 |
Nikishin scored a goal on five shots and blocked two shots in Friday's 5-1 win over the Jets. - Nikishin snapped a seven-game point drought with a tally in the final minute of the contest. The 24-year-old defenseman was scratched once in that span, and that may happen at times when his play isn't up to the Hurricanes' standards. He's been pressed into a bigger role than initially expected due to the team's numerous injuries on defense early in the season. Nikishin has three goals, nine points, a plus-15 rating, 43 shots on net, 55 hits and 33 blocked shots, which is a great foundation for a blueliner who could be an all-around fantasy force in short order. |
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| Nov. 1, 2025 |
Nikishin scored a goal Saturday in a 2-1 loss to Boston. - He wired a slap shot from the slot late in the third period with the extra skater on the ice for Carolina's lone goal. Nikishin has a goal and an assist in his last two games. He has produced two tallies, six points, 21 shots on net and a plus-10 rating through 11 contests this season. He's already in the hunt for the Calder Trophy as the best rookie. Due to injuries, he is on the top pairing and has been working on the second power-play unit. Nikishin is a star in the making. |
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| Oct. 16, 2025 |
Nikishin scored a goal on two shots and added two hits in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Ducks. - Nikishin has opened the season with a four-game point streak consisting of one goal and three assists. His tally Thursday was the first of his NHL career. The 24-year-old rookie has added eight shots on net, 10 hits, five blocked shots and a plus-6 rating. While he's been at least somewhat sheltered on the Hurricanes' third pairing, his adjustment to the NHL is clearly going well, and he offers multi-category upside in fantasy. |
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| Oct. 10, 2025 |
Nikishin recorded an assist in Thursday's 6-3 win over New Jersey. - It was Nikishin's first career regular-season game in the NHL, though he did already record an assist in four NHL playoff outings with Carolina last year. The 24-year-old also had a plus-3 rating, one shot, three hits and two blocks in Thursday's victory. It's a great start to the season for Nikishin, but keep in mind that he's serving on the third pairing and isn't expected to get regular power-play ice time, so his offensive contributions will likely be limited in 2025-26. |
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| May 15, 2025 |
Nikishin made his NHL debut in a 3-1 win over Washington in Game 5 on Thursday. - Nikishin had two shots on goal in 10:33 of ice time. He replaced and injured Jalen Chatfield (undisclosed) on the Canes third pair with Shayne Gostisbehere. Nikishin had been practicing with the Canes since agreeing to a two-year contract on April 11. It will take some time for him to get comfortable on NHL ice, but so far, so good. Nikishin had 46 points (17 goals, 29 assists) in 61 KHL games with SKA St. Petersburg this season. He finished his KHL career as SKA's all-time leader in scoring by a defender with 177 points, including 54 goals, in 288 games. Nikishin was also named KHL Defenseman of the Month seven times in three seasons with SKA. |
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| April 11, 2025 |
Nikishin signed a two-year, entry-level contract with Carolina on Friday, Chris Johnston of The Athletic reports. - Nikishin was selected 69th overall in 2020 and his stock has risen sharply since then, potting 17 goals and adding 29 assists in 61 KHL games with St. Petersburg SKA in 2024-25. The defenseman has a Conn Smythe bonus built into his contract and he should see plenty of action come playoff time with the Hurricanes. Nikishin should also receive a lot of power-play time and might quarterback their first unit as early as next season. |
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