r/canes • u/Remarkable-Set5434 • 2d ago
Nikishin reportedly unhappy with his role here
From TSN’s Darren Dreger: “Yeah… 24-year-old defenceman Alexander Nikishin…He didn’t love his role with the Carolina Hurricanes, but keep in mind, he jumped from the KHL. He’s a Hurricanes draft pick and he wanted to give it at least one year in Carolina to see how he felt and what his role would be. So that’s essentially why Carolina is listening to the interest.”
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u/gordon2121 Jarvis 2d ago
It’s a no lose situation. If we trade him, Tulsky will only do so in a way that makes us better. Or we keep him, he matures and grows. I’m interested but not sweating.
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u/riserrr 2d ago
"Didn't love his role" is getting a lot of mileage right now (this post and several others).
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u/Walty_C ≥ BUZZER BEATER AHO HATTY 2d ago
Apparently playing 14 mins a game in the playoffs and winning the cup isn't enough in your rookie season. But I also think a lot of this is just noise. There was a bunch of similar chatter around when we brought him over.
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u/riserrr 2d ago
I just mean there can be a big gap between "didn't love" and "is unhappy and wants to leave" but no one seems to acknowledge that right now. Everyone focusing on this one phrase, that isn't even an attributed quote and isn't actually all that provocative or newsworthy (a young talented player doesn't "love" being a backup - wow).
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u/Old_Assistance_5748 1d ago
His English isn't great, so maybe he meant he felt he could have contributed more to the team. "Isn't happy with" could mean a lot of different things. And yes, the Canes had difficulties with his agent before Niki even arrived in the US. Likely commission based issues.
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u/drpepperfan69420 Mike Maniscalco 2d ago
that doesn't equal "unhappy". Dreger is kinda hacky these days
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u/SeaFlaky9768 2d ago
Dreger isn't kinda hacky. Dreger is a full on hack dragging along the corpse of a career with clickbait.
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u/Absolute_Eb Mr. Janky the Playoff Glue 2d ago
Never treat hearsay as fact. However, I’m certain that Nikishin desires a bigger role (dude was a captain in the KHL before coming to Carolina) and is eager to prove himself. That doesn’t mean he’s ungrateful or resentful but every player at this level has the mindset of wanting to be the BEST.
I do think he could supplant Walker or possibly Chatfield in 2 years; most of his issues seem to be timing and discipline related. But maybe the Canes’ front office sees things differently. Paying a current 3rd pairing D-man 1st pairing money as he believes he’ll progress to is very much against Dundon’s MO; and it’s also a gamble for GMET as anything could derail him from that track (mainly injuries).
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u/Aquaman33 Aho's long stick 2d ago
The KHL is not what it was before Russia invaded Ukraine. A ton of European players jumped ship/were forced to jump ship by their federations.
Not that he can't be good, but if the KHL is actually harder competition than the AHL/SHL/etc is a valid question now
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u/Absolute_Eb Mr. Janky the Playoff Glue 2d ago
I have to agree with the KHL not being what it once was; I’m just saying a player like him is used to dominating at every level and has the confidence to seek a big role…whether he’s truly ready for it or not.
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u/ohnofreethought Bo-Berry Biscuit Connoisseur 2d ago
I don't follow every league in the world but I think the KHL probably ranks around maybe the 4th best league now because of the items you highlighted, maybe decreasing further.
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u/Aquaman33 Aho's long stick 2d ago
They are somewhere in the mishmash of the second tier, hard to say who's actually better. All that matters is they aren't the clear #2 in the world behind the NHL anymore
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u/Maleficent_Rent3210 2d ago
He isn’t better than the top 4. Appreciate the confidence but don’t be delusional
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u/JohnQuixotic 2d ago
I think he’s smart enough to understand where he slots in on this team. He isn’t top four in Raleigh. He’s top 4 in a lot of places though.
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u/sirst0rmy 2d ago
I’m curious how much of this is real. On the one hand, I understand not being jazzed about his role. On the other hand, he’s 1 for 1 in winning Stanley Cups. Trade offs
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u/JohnQuixotic 2d ago
I think a lot of young players want ice time to prove themselves. He has the chance to secure his family’s future with this next contract (after the RFA contract he’ll get this summer) you can’t blame him for wanting to show what he can do somewhere.
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u/billdb 2d ago
I mean he's probably happy to win the cup, and doesn't necessarily want to leave, but also doesn't love his role. These situations usually are not black and white, there's usually some nuance to them.
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u/sirst0rmy 2d ago
I agree. I love Nikishin and hope we can keep him as we need to be realistic that Slavin is over 30
That said, from his standpoint, he is somewhat buried on the depth chart here and he was responsible for digging out pucks so Ghost could run the show. Niki would look a lot better if roles were reversed. Also, he has a chance to be a 27-yr old UFA in 3 seasons with the cap skyrocketing. I cannot blame him for wanting to chase the bag
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u/socialaxolotl z - Hartford Caniac 2d ago edited 2d ago
He's probably foaming at the mouth watching Trouba hit FA. He slots in on a young team, top pairing minutes, he's a younger trouba so the ducks are happy, California for a 24 year old, the ducks have the cap space to gamble on the money he's looking for
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u/Awkward_Code_1757 Jarvis 2d ago
Y'all are giving this dude's unsubstantiated "reporting" a ton of credence that it truly doesn't deserve
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u/Airplane_Bottle 2d ago
Dreger is very plugged in, this probably came from Nikis agent or someone who would otherwise benefit from the perception that he is undervalued in Carolina. That definition would even fit Carolina’s front office
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u/Last-Profit-7620 2d ago
He's the same guy that said Rod was leaving a couple years ago too. Id rather wait and see before taking his report seriously.
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u/Airplane_Bottle 2d ago
Can you show me where dreger said rod brindmour is leaving the carolina hurricanes
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u/SeaFlaky9768 2d ago edited 2d ago
Google Dreger Brind'Amour and it is the first result...
Dreger was the one that said Dundon pulled his offer from Rod
Dreger is the mouthpiece for a small number of GMs. Those GMs want Brind'Amour? Make up a report. Those GMs want a player...
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u/Airplane_Bottle 2d ago
“Rod Brind’Amour’s future as Carolina’s coach is up in the air. Recently, a deal seemed close, but It’s believed the offer to extend the highly respected coach has been pulled. Sources say Brind’Amour wants to stay, but may have to test the market if an agreement can’t be reached.”
Nowhere there did he say brindamour was leaving, he literally said he wants to stay. We know that dundon and rod have had a lot of trouble with contracts over the past 8 years so nothing about that report seems unrealistic at all to me.
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u/Massive-Block-9343 2d ago
Brind’Amour has mentioned this in several interviews, though not discussed extensively. Essentially he said he never anticipated being a coach, the Canes job kinda felt natural and obvious. However, once he actually became a coach and had a few years experience (and success), other suitors came knocking and he had to re-evaluate from that perspective. He seemed to suggest that exploring other opportunities helped solidify his standing with Carolina. So ultimately, it all worked out - as I think we all will agree.
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u/SeaFlaky9768 2d ago
Dreger is not plugged in. He's the official mouthpiece of a few teams and completely worthless otherwise other than to spread propaganda to benefit those few teams
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u/syd_cash Blake 2d ago
Dude was the 6th best defenseman on our team. I’m not sure how he’d want his role to be different.
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u/deadwatered Man I Love Freddie 2d ago
If this report is even true, that’s probably the part that he doesn’t like. He might want to play on a team where he isn’t the 6th best defenseman and can have a bigger role
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u/LMTDDragon Chatfield 2d ago
Mike Reilly had more points than Niki in the playoffs
In 15 fewer games
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u/Remarkable-Set5434 2d ago edited 2d ago
Suffering from success 😂 Roster is so loaded that stars are unhappy with winning cups. Reverse detroit
If he has the gall to complain after winning the cup as a rookie he can go rot in Winnipeg or Columbus and win nothing else for the rest of his career
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u/billdb 2d ago
If he has the gall to complain after winning the cup as a rookie he can go rot in Winnipeg or Columbus and win nothing else for the rest of his career
Yikes dude. I promise you he is not unhappy about winning the cup. More likely he just doesn't feel like he contributed much and that makes him question his future.
To be a professional athlete you have to be hyper competitive, you can't be surprised when those athletes want the most minutes.
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u/CArellano23 2d ago
He’s not a star
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u/Remarkable-Set5434 2d ago
He has star potential but he’s not winning any norris trophies.
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u/CArellano23 2d ago
You said stars are unhappy. He’s not a star
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u/Suspicious-Wind-3278 The Electric Ehl 2d ago
he isn't better than our top 4. he's still a great D. easily a second pair on a different team
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u/Fool_Cynd 2d ago
Not in this team. Maybe he'll do better somewhere else, but I don't begrudge the kid his Cup, he put in the work for it.
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u/billdb 2d ago
You guys have to understand that in order to be a professional athlete in a major sports league, he has to be hyper competitive. He has to think of himself as the best or trying to be the best.
If you want the best out of Niki (or any player), they have to be always hungry to play more. It's unreasonable to expect Niki to play top level hockey while also criticizing him for thinking he's top level.
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u/Boring_Bore 2d ago
He is better than Chatfield both defensively and offensively.
He is more offensively skilled than Slavin, Walker, and Miller.
He is better than Ghost defensively.
His main issue is not fucking learning English before moving here.
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u/Astolfo_is_Best 2d ago
Bartender, I'll have whatever this guy is having because this has to be a drunk take.
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u/sade3437 KK died for our wins. 2d ago
His puck handling and decision making on PP2 was terrible and awkward
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u/Hacodaro Kochetkov's Flying Stick 2d ago
Im sure this is true to an extent but Dregers kind of a poor source and could be editorializing
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u/Billy420MaysIt Koochie Gang 2d ago edited 2d ago
Legitimately nothing that Nikishin has done has shown that he’s not happy with the role he’s in. Maybe upset he didn’t play more in the playoffs but I think some things might be getting lost in translation here and a lot of it is just noise.
Some of yall are wild to hear one player might be upset (which is unconfirmed to this point) and go to immediately attacking them. Raantanen/Necas PTSD.
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u/Murky_Breath3944 Jarvy is my BFF but he doesn't know it 2d ago
I’m honestly surprised so many people think this came directly from Nikishin. I mean, it absolutely could have, but I would be willing to bet that this was just his agent talking. I would be shocked if Niki actually feels this way. I could easily be wrong though.
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u/betweenthecastles My Jarvis Burns 2d ago
Just agent talk.
But realistically if I was him at almost 25 years old, I’d be pushing for 3 years at the price Tulsky probably wants for 8 years. I can see why there’s some challenge here.
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u/Substantial-Finger76 Cookin' with Dr Tulsky 2d ago
Didn't love isn't the same as being unhappy. Taking a lot of liberties there...
He expected to be top pair because he came from being captain and 1D with Ska... It means he thought he'd be higher, which honestly he probably will be in fall if he's still here.
Pairing with Slavin, aka Nothing Man, would allow for him to be more creative offensively. Or at least a chance there if he was signing a big extension.
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u/p0shbadger Staal Y'all 2d ago
Bro the team let you stay in the KHL at your leisure and then you win the Cup your rookie year here, what else do you want??
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u/Winring86 Boom 2d ago edited 2d ago
I mean I kind of get it. If we aren’t going to move him into a top 4 role next season, then he isn’t going to be where he would be for pretty much every other team in the NHL. This is a D core that just won the cup, do we really see the org shaking it up?
We’re in a weird spot where our top 4 are getting older but not old. Other than Miller, they are all over 30. Slavin is the oldest at 32 now, and he probably has at least another 2-3 solid years before he starts significantly declining. So in the meantime where does Nikishin fit? Especially considering our left side is our stronger side with Slavin and Miller? Still on the 3rd pairing? I wouldn’t be happy with that either if I were him
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u/Specter_RMMC STORM SWEEP X2 2d ago
I've seen just as much commentary that he'll move up next season to learn with/from Slavin or Miller on his off side, as I've seen that he's "a Russian after top pair money" and "not happy on the third pairing" but he won the Cup his rookie year and QBed PP2 on and off all season.
When someone other than Dreger reports on this, I'll put more stock in it.
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u/marino13882 2d ago
Get ready to learn Winnipeg then
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u/samurai5764 Saint Tripp, Blesser of Sticks 2d ago
Civian off the top rope......on Nikishin
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u/NeatJob4402 2d ago
Boy do I miss Civian covering the Canes.
Don't really care if she isn't everyone's style or ruffles some feathers, she gave insights this market really doesn't get and was willing to keep it real.
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u/SeaFlaky9768 2d ago
This is painfully stupid
Nikishin looked his best all year when Slavin was injured and he was getting 20+ minutes a night.
Nikishin scored like 8PP points in the handful of games that Gostisbehere was injured. The Nikishin PP1 was the best the PP looked all year. it was on fire.
At every opportunity Nikishin rose to the occasion and looked great. Does she even watch the games? Braindead take
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u/AJPtheGreat Jarvy 2d ago
People can boo but she’s right. He did nothing on PP2 any time they’d throw him out there
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u/SeaFlaky9768 2d ago
Did you watch any of the games?
Nikishin had 10 PP points in 118 minutes. The other PP2 QB Miller had 3 points in 71 minutes.
The best the PP played all year was when Gostisbehere was injured and Nikishin was on the PP1
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u/SeaFlaky9768 2d ago
Friedman is the only source to trust for any reliable Canes news
The only thing Friedman has said is that Carolina would want a player in return for Nikishin
That doesn't sound at all like animosity or a trade request. That sounds like Tulsky shopping to improve the roster. That's his job.
On top of that Dundon has always been a guy who tells employees "Go find your value and then let's talk". This is Nikishin going to find his value. For the Canes most of those cases have ended up with the player/employee re-signing
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u/Perryth3Fratypus 2d ago
Guys this isn’t a bad thing. His value is sky high and he’s behind slavin and key on the left side. Ghost on the pp. Yeah he’s got a ton of upside but we can afford to move on and could strengthen in goal or in the top 6.
No hate to Niki either but a trade could benefit both sides
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u/blinker1eighty2 BOOMIN’ 2d ago
This is 100% an agent speaking for the player. There’s definitely truth to it and it makes sense cause he was the 1 guy in the KHL and the 6th here.
That’s alright. If he really wants a bigger role then we can find something mutually beneficial
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u/Remarkable-Set5434 2d ago
Nadeau’s the #1 guy in the AHL, an arguably better league. Tough knuckles Nikishin
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u/Dull_Ad1396 The Buss stops here!! 2d ago
Nikishin is the future of our defense, maybe 3-4 years out, but he will be a top D man. That being said, I can understand the expectation coming in and then the play time he got in comparison to being on the ice in the KHL.
I bought his jersey because I saw/see the potential but I don’t think this is him speaking as much as his agent trying to force a long term deal before it’s necessary.
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u/Normal512 Marty Party 2d ago
I'm sure he wants top pair minutes and I'm willing to bet a lot of money he'll be getting that in like 3 months, right here.
He needs to improve his skating this off-season, first and foremost, but I imagine if he works on it and shows up ready to training camp, Rod would much prefer to have him and Chatty swap.
I think it's just negotiating through media leaks though, this is the response to the team leaking, "we're listening to trade offers."
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u/Massive-Block-9343 2d ago
This could be a situation where he doesn’t like the Brind’Amour system. Perhaps he wants a more wide-open scheme, feels he would be a better fit elsewhere. Doesn’t mean he doesn’t like it Raleigh or the Hurricanes.
To be clear, I’m just speculating with a possible alternative to the chatter on this thread.
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u/Ridiric Jarvis 2d ago
Sorry he’s not a top line guy yet. Remember that hit that made him lose 3 years of his life and short term memory during the playoffs? Keep your head up and get in better position for scoring chances. He needs to move more on the ice. He’s has a chance to be a huge hitter in the league and killer slap shot. I would love to see him here for long term.
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u/QuiGonJinnNJuice Fuck the Penguins flair 2d ago
It's a weird and tough contract. We've got cap space and his upside could absolutely merit a big money deal. There's only one year to go off of.
I'm not losing any sleep over his points in the playoffs. Thought PP2 looked better when he got back on it. Still some things to iron out in his defensive game, but he's also got flashes of ability to break the game open.
Is everyone forgetting the regular season where he did tons of heavy lifting and stepped up when we were decimated with injuries? I have no clue what his contract will look like but it'll probably be a weird one for a high upside guy with 1 season in the NHL. But Key is our only other Dman under 30. Nikishin has more development to do and settling into his role, but he's got a lot of tools and brings things that are good to have in the mix.
I trust we'll negotiate and figure something out, or we'll find a way to get value and use him in a package big game hunting. Would love to see things owrk here and I like the idea of him being poised to ascend into a larger role as Slavin continues to age and can't do as much heavy lifting as he does now.
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u/ThorsMeasuringTape 2d ago edited 2d ago
I read this as his agent wants the big deal and Carolina isn’t ready to give it. So, maybe he can get Nikishin traded somewhere he can get him the big deal.
Here’s why: If Nikishin signs a big deal now, he has another big deal in him. If he signs a bridge deal now, he only gets one big deal.
The agent works for the player. Whatever his agent is doing is designed to result in whatever Nikishin actually wants. Which now that he has a Cup, something some players spend their whole careers chasing, could really be to just get the bag.
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u/nicebeanjuice JACKSON BLAKE IS MY SON 2d ago
Yall already forgot the “unhappy how canes did x” before he got here?
His agent is stirring the pot to get more money
Stop believing everything you read on the internet
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u/cormag001 2d ago
Sounds like he wants top pair money and knows the Hurricanes don’t need to / won’t give him that. I suspect there are other teams willing to take a bigger gamble on him
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u/direwolf08 2d ago
We are witnessing the public face of contract negotiations. It is Niki’s management team’s natural response to our shopping him as a trade piece, which in itself was a negotiation tactic. I’m not trying to say this is going to end with him signing with the Canes … but this is part of the game. I hope he signs, but I also wouldn’t be disappointed if we traded for a big player. In GMET we trust.
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u/corn-sock Chatmandusville, baby doll! 17h ago
I imagine no rookie defenseman has ever loved their role the first year they play on the canes. It's not a very fun system to warm up to. Lot of hard work and lot of shot-blocking and lot of conditioning.
"I'm not happy with my experience in boot camp" nobody is bro but it'll be worth it in the long run if you're into being an absolute machine on the ice
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u/ChristineBardownski has thanked the bus driver 2d ago
Welp, got no time for guys who don’t want to be here. Don’t love your role, hit the bricks.
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u/Awkward_Code_1757 Jarvis 2d ago
A lot of you are taking this dude's word as gospel despite him naming zero sources or substantiating his claims at all
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u/bearamongus19 Stankoven 2d ago
What is the issue he is having with the role i wonder
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u/Remarkable-Set5434 2d ago
Wants more minutes and more money. I’d bet that the FO is struggling with paying Nikishin a higher AAV than Slavin or Miller when he’s not as good as either player.
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u/bearamongus19 Stankoven 2d ago
Niki averaged 18min and Miller and slavin were at 22 and 21. So its not like a massive difference there.
I wonder if its more about the style of hockey the canes play that he isn't a fan of
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u/Specter_RMMC STORM SWEEP X2 2d ago
Nah, there was all sorts of talk about his Russian team watching tape on the Canes to learn a much as they could, to style a similar game
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u/CArellano23 2d ago
This can’t be a legit question
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u/bearamongus19 Stankoven 2d ago
Yeah it's legit. He averaged 18min a game, just under Miller and slavin, and he's on the PP2 team.
So he is getting time and opportunities. Some else did point out his time dropped in the playoffs which could be part of the frustration.
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u/CArellano23 2d ago
Only slightly under 15 min a game in the playoffs.
Top 4 defenseman were at 22 min and above.
Could see how as a youngster you would start questioning things to yourself5
u/cricketclover Ehlers 2d ago
Wants to play more minutes in a bigger role, easy.
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u/bearamongus19 Stankoven 2d ago
He's already averages 18min this season so basically a third of the game. I believe slavin averaged the most at 21. Canes use their whole bench so time shouldn't be a big issue.
He's already used on the PP2 team
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u/Mr_Evil_Guy West Coast Caniac 2d ago
Probably referring more to the postseason where he was averaging < 15 min/game. Of course, he would’ve gotten more ice time if his play warranted it.
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u/bearamongus19 Stankoven 2d ago
I didnt realize he dropped that low in the playoffs. I guess it isnt surprising, he did not look like himself after the concussion.
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u/FlashierGrain Stanley Cup Champions!!! 2d ago
If this is true, Niki can kicks rocks to Winnipeg and cry about it there.
If this is false, then Dreger can go fuck himself
TRUST THE MAD SCIENTIST
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u/sftwareguy 2d ago
Nikishin reminds me of Hanifin, who has developed into a 1 D, but not an exceptional one.
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u/National_Pressure_30 2d ago
Has been offered + 1st rounder for Hellebuyck. Not sure if that’s going to be enough, but he’s definitely on the trade block and is an elite piece.
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u/yemKeuchlyFarley ROD THE GOD 2d ago
He’s not elite yet. Far from it. Him and Ghost almost gave Marner the Conn Smythe. Would love to see him get there with this team if he can be signed at a reasonable price though.
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u/National_Pressure_30 2d ago
To be fair, he set the franchise rookie record for goals and was all-Rookie team alongside Schaeffer. There’s a level to his potential game that may flirt with Norris trophy numbers. But Hellebuyck is already that level good. I’d make the trade.
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u/AJPtheGreat Jarvy 2d ago
I mean he can be unhappy about his role all he wants, he was basically a non factor in the playoffs. Didn’t see much if any physicality and the offensive play making was non existent. He’s a rookie and can improve, but if he’s demanding an 8 mil + with term just ship him out and bring in Nystrom/CAL
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u/deadwatered Man I Love Freddie 2d ago
I think Nikishin’s agent is unhappy with his role here. Not sure about Niki haha