Alexander Nikishin Prospect Write-up
- dbuckley757
- Mar 11
- 5 min read
Alexander Nikishin: The Next Big Thing on Defense:
Alexander Nikishin
Left-Handed Defenseman
6'4", 216 lbs
Picture this: you’re tinkering with a 3D printer, dialing in the perfect mix of size, strength, and hockey smarts to build a modern NHL defenseman. Hit print, and out comes Alexander Nikishin. At 23, this kid’s already a giant—figuratively and literally—in Russia’s KHL, captaining SKA St. Petersburg, one of the league’s big dogs. Drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the third round (69th overall) back in 2020, he’s got fans buzzing about what he’ll bring when he finally crosses the pond.
The Numbers Tell a Story
Nikishin’s tearing it up in the KHL, and the stats back it up. This season, as of February 2025, he’s got 13 goals and 22 assists for 35 points in 46 games. Last year? A jaw-dropping 17 goals and 39 assists for 56 points in 67 games—good enough for third all-time among KHL defensemen in a single season and the Defenseman of the Year nod. The year before that, 2022-23, he notched 11 goals and 44 assists for 55 points in 65 games, setting a record for a Russian-born blueliner in the league.
But it’s not just about the points. He’s logging over 25 minutes a night, throwing his weight around with 100+ hits, and blocking nearly as many shots. Oh, and that +32 rating last season? Tops in the KHL. The guy’s a difference-maker, plain and simple.
How He Plays: Grit Meets Skill
At 6'4" and 216 pounds, Nikishin’s built like a tank, but he’s not just some lumbering bruiser. He’s got the brains and hands to go with it, making him a rare breed among defensive prospects.
On defense, he’s a nightmare for opponents. He reads plays like a book, jumping into passing lanes or flattening guys with a well-timed hit. Sure, he’s not the fastest guy on skates, but his long stride and ridiculous reach let him close gaps anyway. He’s a brick wall against the rush—boxing out forwards, swiping pucks with his stick, and eating minutes on the penalty kill. Those 99 blocked shots in 2022-23? That’s him putting his body on the line.
Lighting the Lamp
Here’s where it gets fun: Nikishin’s not content just playing shutdown. He’s turned into a legit offensive weapon. That 17-goal season last year came from a howitzer of a shot—think power-play bombs and sneaky pinches. With 44 assists in 2022-23, he’s got the vision to set up teammates too. This year, he’s off the top power-play unit (Tony DeAngelo’s taken over and then left again), but he’s still producing at 5v5.
Nikishin’s a physical beast—separating guys from the puck along the boards, clearing the crease like it’s his job. But he’s not some hothead; he’s cool under pressure, which is probably why SKA made him captain midway through last season at 22.
Fantasy Goldmine
If you’re in a fantasy hockey league that counts points, hits, and blocks, Nikishin’s basically a cheat code. Think about it: 56 points last season, over 100 hits, and nearly 100 blocks—numbers that make him a darling in those gritty, multi-cat setups. He’s at 35 points this year with similar hustle, even after losing prime power-play time. For dynasty leagues, he might just be the best defensive prospect we’ve seen in a minute—call him the Kirill Kaprizov of defensemen. Like Kaprizov, who lit up the KHL with 33 goals and 62 points in 57 games back in 2019-20 before storming the NHL, Nikishin’s got that rare combo of elite production and physical edge, primed to dominate for years once he hits North America. In a fantasy draft, Nikishin’s the guy you snag early—he’s not just a defenseman; he’s a category-stuffer who could be a top-10 dynasty asset the second he lands in Carolina.
Room to Grow
He’s not perfect—nobody is. His skating’s solid for a big guy, but it’s not lightning-quick, and that could show against NHL speedsters. After an injury this year, he’s leaned hard into his physical side, sometimes skipping the finesse. And that aggression? It’s awesome until he overcommits and leaves a hole. A little more polish on his decision-making in tight spots, and he’ll be golden.
The Ekblad Comparison
If Nikishin reminds me of anyone, it’s Aaron Ekblad, the Panthers’ stud defenseman. Both tower over the ice—Nikishin at 6'4", 216 lbs, Ekblad at 6'4", 215 lbs—and both can do it all. Ekblad burst into the NHL at 18 as the 2014 first-overall pick, dropping 39 points as a rookie and later hitting 57 in 2021-22. Nikishin’s KHL numbers (56 points last year) scream that kind of upside, though he’s taken a longer road to the big league.
Ekblad’s got a smoother skating stride and slicker hands, honed by years in the NHL. Nikishin’s more of a bulldozer—less finesse, more force. Ekblad was a polished product early; Nikishin’s still raw in spots but brings a captain’s grit Ekblad didn’t have at 23. Size-wise, they’re basically twins—Nikishin’s 216 to Ekblad’s 215—but Nikishin might hit harder while Ekblad dances a bit better.
KHL Ice vs. NHL Ice: The Big Switch
Nikishin’s dominated on the KHL’s bigger ice—200 feet by 98 feet, compared to the NHL’s 200 by 85. That 13-foot width difference changes everything.
Defense: On the wide KHL rink, he’s got room to roam, using his reach to smother plays. The NHL’s tighter setup means less time to react, more bang-bang action. His size and stick should keep him stout, but he’ll need to quicken his feet to stick with guys flying down the wings.
Offense: The KHL’s open ice lets him stretch plays with those gorgeous passes (44 assists, anyone?). In the NHL, it’s all about speed—quick flips, point shots. His cannon will translate anywhere, but he might ditch some long breakouts for short, sharp moves until he adjusts.
Physical Game: Smaller ice is a brawler’s paradise, and Nikishin’s gonna love it. More collisions, tighter battles—he’s built for that. He just can’t chase too hard, or he’ll get caught with no space to recover. He’s smart, though. Switching roles this season shows he can adapt, and his skating’s good enough to tweak. A summer with Carolina’s coaches in 2025, banging against AHL or NHL guys, and he’ll figure it out fast.
Alexander Nikishin’s not just some prospect—he’s what you’d dream up for today’s NHL. Size, skill, heart, all battle-tested in the KHL. He’s a fantasy nerd’s dream, a dynasty gem, and maybe the Kaprizov of the blue line. Hurricanes fans might be counting the days ‘til 2025, but when he lands, he could be a game-changer who owns the ice.
Player Comparison: Aaron Ekblad
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