Alexander Nikishin (Credit: Getty Images) NHL training camp is only two weeks away, but Alexander Nikishin is still without a contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. The 24-year-old defenseman has been in trade talks this offseason, and The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford has named the St. Louis Blues as a team that could acquire him.In Montreal, Arber Xhekaj and Zachary Bolduc are also still unsigned. The two Canadiens players have been linked to trade talks as the team looks for a top-six forward. Sportsnet’s Eric Engels, however, reported that Bolduc could sign a new contract before Montreal’s training-camp on Sept. 16.
Is Alexander Nikishin a trade target for the St. Louis Blues?
The St. Louis Blues are one of the teams linked to Alexander Nikishin. On Sept. 1, The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford included the defenseman in his bold predictions for the Blues and predicted that St. Louis could acquire him from Carolina.Rutherford said the 6-foot-3, 218-pound Nikishin fits what Blues general manager Alex Steen is looking for. The team is looking for a big, left-shot defenseman with Stanley Cup experience. Nikishin is a restricted free agent after finishing his entry-level contract. He does not have arbitration rights and cannot receive an offer sheet from another team.Rutherford put Nikishin’s market value at close to $8 million per year. However, he also noted that Nikishin has little leverage in contract talks. Carolina has about $9.8 million in salary-cap space and may not want to give him most of that amount.The Blues have around $4.3 million in cap space, so Rutherford does not expect them to go that high either unless they move another player. Still, he suggested St. Louis could find a way to acquire Nikishin at a reasonable price and sign him to a bridge deal.Carolina could also use Nikishin in a trade for a goaltending upgrade. DailyFaceoff’s Anthony Di Marco recently proposed a package of Nikishin, Brandon Bussi or Pyotr Kochetkov, Jesperi Kotkaniemi and two first-round picks to the Winnipeg Jets for Connor Hellebuyck.
Are Arber Xhekaj and Zachary Bolduc trade options for the Montreal Canadiens?
The Montreal Canadiens have two unsigned RFAs who have also become part of trade talk. Defenseman Arber Xhekaj and winger Zachary Bolduc could both be important pieces as the club looks to improve its forward group.The Montreal Gazette’s Stu Cowan raised the idea last month that Xhekaj and Bolduc could become “sign-and-trade” candidates as Montreal searches for a top-six forward.Bolduc, however, could have a new contract soon. Sportsnet’s Eric Engels reported earlier this week that the 23-year-old winger could sign before the Canadiens report for training-camp physicals on Sept. 16. Engels believes Bolduc could receive a three-year deal worth around $4 million per season.Engels also reported that Xhekaj wants to stay in Montreal and that the Canadiens want to keep him. The 25-year-old defenseman may be waiting for more clarity about his role before committing to a new deal.Xhekaj is 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, and his physical style has made him popular with his teammates and fans. However, he struggled to secure a full-time spot among Montreal’s top-six defensemen last season.