NHL Rumor Roundup: Nikishin To The Blues? Will Xhekaj And Bolduc Stay In Montreal?
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin could be a trade target for the St. Louis Blues. Meanwhile, winger Zachary Bolduc could be close to a new contract with the Montreal Canadiens, but defenseman Arber Xhekaj seems no closer to a deal.
Video Transcript
I’m Lyle Richardson of the Hockey News, and in today’s NHL Rumor Roundup column, one of the topics I’m looking at is the ongoing speculation concerning the future of Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin.
Advertisement
Now you recall that Nikishin is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract.
He lacked arbitration rights, and he’s ineligible to receive an offer sheet from another club because he hadn’t– hasn’t played the required number of NHL games to be, to be eligible.
Now, it’s been rumored that the St. Louis Blues, could be very interested in acquiring Nikishin.
In fact, Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic recently forecasted that the Blues could acquire, Nikishin as part of his t-ten bold predictions for the blues this season.
And then one reason why the Hurricanes might be willing to trade Nikishin is that, it’s projected that his, next salary could be as much as eight million per season, and that could be too expensive for the Hurricanes, who have, just over nine million in cap space remaining.
Advertisement
The hurricanes could also consider using, Nikishin as a trade chip to maybe address a different roster need, and that could perhaps include, pursuing Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
Now, the, Hurricanes are supposedly going to be going with, Pyotr Kochetkov and Brandon Bussey for this season.
However, the possibility of getting a three-time Vezina Trophy winner like Hellebuyck could be very tempting.
And we know that Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky has a reputation now for showing that he’s willing to make bold moves to bring in star talent.
And perhaps Nikishin could be part of an effort if he feels he needs to upgrade his goal tending
