RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Carolina Hurricanes will begin defending their Stanley Cup title Tuesday -- likely without one of their rising stars on defense.
Blueliner Alexander Nikishin remained an unsigned restricted free agent ahead of the Hurricanes' home opener against Florida. The 24-year-old did not report to training camp and hasn't backed down from the trade request he made over the summer. Carolina general manager Eric Tulsky said during media availability Monday that, despite an ongoing stalemate with Nikishin, the organization hasn't given up on getting a deal (of some kind) done eventually.
"I think it's unusual to get to this point with a player unsigned," Tulsky said. "I can't say I expected it, but it's how it goes sometimes. We understand where they are. They understand where we are. We're trying to find a resolution. But we don't know when it comes."
Nikishin tallied 11 goals and 33 points as a rookie in the 2025-26 season, which culminated with the Canes as Cup champions. It was shortly after that victory that Nikishin approached management about a change of scenery. The team's third-round pick in 2020 spent four seasons in the KHL before officially transitioning to North America but isn't looking to play overseas again.
Carolina's stacked blue line has made it difficult for Nikishin -- who averaged about 18 minutes per game last year -- to grab hold of a larger opportunity commensurate with the significant pay increase he's searching for in a new contract.
To try to get what he wants before the regular season is in full swing, Nikishin switched agents last week from Benjamin Kreyzerman of Quartexx to Paul Theofanous of TMI LLC (who notably secured a two-year extension for another client, Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov, right before news of Nikishin's switch came out).
Regardless of who's sitting at the table with Nikishin from here, it won't affect how Tulsky continues to approach the negotiations.
"It doesn't change our position any, and I doubt it changes his," Tulsky said. "It brings a new voice into the room, and maybe that helps us find a resolution. I don't know, but ultimately, we both understand where the other side is and are trying to resolve it."
Still, there's interest to consider from the outside on Nikishin. Last week, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported there was nearly a deal in place to send Nikishin to the New York Rangers, but it ultimately fell apart. Other clubs -- including Nashville and St. Louis -- have reportedly shown interest in Nikishin as well.
On Monday, at least, Nikishin remained in limbo. And Tulsky walked the line between saying too much and stressing that Carolina is open to possibilities when it comes to making the most of a complicated situation.
"We're trying to find a resolution," Tulsky reiterated. "He has largely kept things out of the media, and I want to be respectful and make sure when players talk to me, they know it's just between us. And so, if they're not talking to the media, I'm not going to either. But both sides are trying to find a resolution and figure out how we go forward from here."