Analysis: Kraken Could Target Two Carolina Hurricanes Players
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Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin (21) carries the puck against Vegas Golden Knights center Nic Dowd (26) during the second period in game five of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images [/caption]
It’s the dog days of the NHL offseason, and the Seattle Kraken have still not made significant changes to their roster.
That could be part of the plan for general manager Jason Botterill, as the Kraken could stand pat and wait to make any significant moves until the 2027 NHL Trade Deadline.
As of now, the Kraken have some glaring weaknesses that could hold them back. The team’s center depth, even with Shane Wright, is subpar. Seattle’s defense is solid but has just one player under-25. Outside of top prospect Chase Reid, the future of the blue line is questionable.
The reigning Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes have also stood pat this offseason. And, why shouldn’t they? Their roster had no weaknesses last season and the majority of their core is signed to reasonable contracts. But the Hurricanes have some unfinished business still to take care of, and the Kraken could help.
Alexander Nikishin
It is curious why 24-year-old Alexander Nikishin remains a restricted free agent this deep into the offseason. Before coming overseas for the 2025 playoffs, Nikishin was a dominant KHL defenseman.
In 2025-26, his first full NHL season, Nikishin performed well. He was a great third pair defenseman, whose role elevated when players went down with injury. He had 11 goals and 33 points in 81 games. He finished seventh in Calder Trophy voting, the league’s Rookie of the Year.
In the playoffs, his average ice time dropped over three minutes per game and he had only one assist in 17 games before winning the Cup. His rookie contract expired this offseason, and the Hurricanes have not yet extended him. Carolina has over $9 million in salary cap space, which should be enough to extend the young blueliner.
But, Nikishin could warrant the kind of money Carolina would not want to pay. The Hurricanes currently do not pay any of their defensemen more than $7.5 million. Player salaries have exploded this offseason, and considering Nikishin’s KHL track record and solid rookie season, he could earn more than $7.5 million on a long-term contract. That’s a pretty penny, especially when Nikishin would still be behind left-shot defensemen like Jacob Slavin and K’Andre Miller on the Hurricanes’ depth chart.
For Seattle, the 6-3 Nikishin could be the long-term replacement for Vince Dunn, who has one year left on his current contract. Nikishin would already be a top-four defenseman on the Kraken. At 24, he could grow with the Kraken as they complete their rebuild.
Nikishin would cost a lot in a trade. The Kraken have several forwards that Carolina could be interested in, such as pending unrestricted free agent Jared McCann. Botterill also has young forward prospects and an additional first-round draft pick at his disposal.
The young defenseman could cost a lot, but would be a solid add to the Kraken’s current and future blue line.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi
For a team that has so many bargain contracts, Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s four remaining seasons at $4.82 million AAV is a lone sore spot. The 2018 third-overall pick signed a long-term extension in Carolina after arriving via an offer sheet during the 2021 offseason. The Finnish center had a career-high 18-goal and 43-point season in 2022-23. His scoring has waned since, and he was a frequent health scratch last season. He didn’t factor into any 2026 playoff games.
If the Hurricanes want more salary cap flexibility, especially to aid a Nikishin extension, Kotkaniemi would make sense to deal. The 26-year-old has a 10-team no-trade list, so there’s no telling if Seattle is on that list.
The Kraken, especially if they trade center Shane Wright, are thin down the middle. Matty Beniers and Chandler Stephenson are punching above their weight as the team’s first and second line centers. Fredrik Gaudreau is the team’s likely fourth line center. Seattle could move youngster Berkly Catton or McCann back to center, but both are better off on the wing.
The 6-2 Kotkaniemi would cost little in a trade and fill a clear area of need for Seattle. The Kraken could give Kotkaniemi the ice time, opportunity, and solid linemates needed to revitalize his young career.
If everything works out, the Kraken could fill their need for a second or third-line center. They could keep him long-term, or opt to flip him for a better asset down the road. If not, the Kraken wouldn’t lose much in the trade.
