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The Carolina Hurricanes went into preseason training camp without defenseman Alexander Nikishin, an unsigned restricted free agent.
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The Canes, coming off a Stanley Cup championship, now will be going into the 2026-27 season without Nikishin, who has not been able to reach an agreement with the team.
Canes general manager Eric Tulsky said Monday that the team and Nikishin continue to seek a “resolution.” Whether that means a new contract or eventually a trade, Tulsky did not say.
“Ultimately, we both understand where the other side is,” Tulsky said at a press conference at Lenovo Center. “We just need to find a way to resolve it.”
Nikishin does have new representation. Veteran agent Paul Theofanous handled the contract extension for goalie Pyotr Kochetkov and now has been dealing with Tulsky and Canes management on Nikishin.
“It doesn’t change our position any,” Tulsky said. “I doubt it changes his. It brings a new voice into the room. Maybe that helps us find a resolution. I don’t know.”
The stalemate appears to come from the proposed term of a new contract and the pay. Disagreement over financial terms could keep Niksihin from re-signing with the Canes or from being traded to another team that finds his financial demands too high.
It’s also believed Niksihin, who starred in the KHL before coming to North America, wants more minutes and a more prominent role on defense. He spent much of last season on the Canes’ third defensive pair with Shayne Gostisbehere.
Tulsky was asked Monday if he had anticipated the Nikishin situation being this problematic, resulting in him being a holdout with the season beginning Tuesday against the Florida Panthers at Lenovo Center.
“I think it’s unusual to get to the point with a player being unsigned,” Tulsky said. “I can’t say I expected it. But that’s how it goes sometimes, right?
“We understand where they are, they understand where we are, and we’re trying to find a resolution and it will come when it comes.”
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The Canes on Sunday reassigned forwards Bradly Nadeau and Felix Unger Sorum to the Chicago Wolves of the AHL. Both played well in preseason games and in camp, but the decision was made to send that back to the minors – for now.
Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour said throughout camp that with winger Seth Jarvis continuing to rehab from offseason shoulder surgery, the opportunity was there for them to play early in the regular season. Unger Sorum played in all four preseason games and had a virtual walkoff goal in a comeback win.
“They both played extremely well,” Tulsky said. “Honestly, they did everything they could, earned a ton of trust from Rod. I know they will be here this season. I don’t know if it will be 15 games or 70, but they’re clearly ready.
“That being said we have a lineup of skaters who were all at the ring ceremony last night. It’s a tough team to crack.”
Defenseman Charles Alexis Legault was not sent back to Chicago on Sunday and is expected to be in the lineup Tuesday for the opener, although Brind’Amour could opt for veteran Mike Reilly. Legault, a physical D-man, played 12 games last season and could have played more had he not suffered a cut on his right hand that resulted in surgery and sidelined him.
“I think you get more comfortable with the system and every year you understand more what they want out of you,” Legault said Monday. “I think I understand that now, but there’s still a lot of work to do.”
If Legault plays next to Gostisbehere, it would place a right-shot defenseman alongside “Ghost,” a lefty.
“He’s a pretty good offensive guy and I’m a pretty good defensive guy, so I could bring the battles to them,” Legault said. “He’s a super skilled player, so get him the puck and let him do his thing.”
Tulsky said there are no concerns about complacency from his group. Winning a Stanley Cup was quite the quest for a number of the older players seeking their first, but it’s a new season.
“We’ve got a group that is very hungry and has a strong, driven culture,” he said. “Last year’s Cup is over and guys came in ready to go.
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“Last year’s Cup is ours until tomorrow, then it’s up for grabs.”
This story was originally published September 28, 2026 at 11:52 AM.