In recent years, the trend in Montreal has been to accept less money on the next contract to increase their chances of winning the Stanley Cup. This remains the childhood dream of every professional hockey player.
But this is certainly not a trend throughout the NHL.
Some players do this (like Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon), but many are driven by money.
However, nothing in life is guaranteed, and many great players have never won the Stanley Cup, while others have won it multiple times – even in their rookie year.
Alexander Nikishin is one of those players who earned a ring in his rookie season. Despite being a rookie last year, he has already completed his rookie NHL contract and also burned a year off his contract for the 2024-25 season after playing in the playoffs.
According to Pierre Lebrun, Nikishin reportedly asked the Hurricanes to trade him after winning the Cup. He wants a big contract and a more prominent role elsewhere.
It’s quite a move to ask for a trade after winning the Stanley Cup in your rookie year.
But on the other hand, he already won the Cup at the very beginning of his career. He knows what he can bring to the team, and at 24 years old he wants to get the money he deserves. He may no longer be willing to sacrifice a big contract to win, although another ring wouldn’t hurt.
Pierre LeBrun believes the Winnipeg Jets could be a logical destination in a trade involving goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
Honestly, this proposal makes the most sense for both the Hurricanes and Jets.
We know the Hurricanes are very interested in Hellebuyck and Nikishin is a great trade chip.
The Jets will have plenty of cap space to pay Nikishin. He could also be a very exciting young player for their defensive corps. Behind Josh Morrissey on the left are Dylan Samberg and Mario Ferraro. They’re not bad, but Nikishin would be a much better option after Morrissey.
In a nutshell
– Not having a valid contract with Kreider helps.
Elliott Friedman: On Dax: I’ve heard in the last couple of days that there is progress on Cutter Gauthier – 32 thoughts (9/14)
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NHLRR: Gauthier’s contract projections range from 5 to 8 years, with an AAV somewhere between 14 million per year and just below Leo Karlsson’s…— NHL Rumor Report (@NHLRumourReport) September 15, 2026
– That would be nice.
Would you be interested?
— Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) September 15, 2026
– What a huge success Big Oak.
Keegan agrees with me – best player of the season! @BlueJays
— Jeremy Filosa
(@JeremyFilosa) September 15, 2026
– Fine.
WHAT?!?! According to ESPN, Drew Brees was considering returning to action in a Broncos uniform during the playoffs!
#BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/S7lwyZ8AAz
– RDS (@RDSca) September 14, 2026
