Early Impressions of Alexander Nikishin
In the early days of the NHL season, Alexander Nikishin, a rookie defenseman for the Carolina Hurricanes, has already begun to impress with his dynamic play. Although it’s only been 11 games into the season, the anticipation surrounding the 2020 third-round draft pick from Russia appears to be well-founded. Nikishin’s impressive performance, including two goals and a total of six points, places him second among his teammates on defense, trailing only Shayne Gostisbehere, who has seven points. Moreover, he ranks third among all rookie defensemen in the league.
Defensive Prowess and Performance Metrics
Defensively, Nikishin has shown significant prowess, being on the ice for 14 goals that the Hurricanes scored—the highest of any of their defensemen—while only allowing six goals against. His underlying numbers reflect strong play, boasting a 53.70% Corsi For percentage (CF%) and a 50 expected goals for percentage (xGF%), all while he’s been logging substantial top-four minutes due to an injury-riddled Carolina blueline.
Historic Rookie Performance
The 6-foot-4 blue liner is on a three-game point streak, making him one of only three rookies in Carolina’s history to achieve such a start to their careers, alongside Bernie Johnston and Jamie McBain. In spite of his early success, Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour believes there is still more to come from Nikishin, noting the need for him to fully adapt to the pace and physicality of the NHL.
“Once he really understands that, you’ll see his game take off,”
Brind’Amour stated, alluding to the ongoing learning curve Nikishin faces in adapting to North American hockey.
Increased Responsibility and Trust from Coaches
Given the current lineup challenges faced by the Hurricanes, Nikishin has stepped up significantly, averaging more than 20 minutes on the ice in six of his last seven games. His ability to handle the increased responsibility speaks volumes about his tenacity and readiness for more impactful roles, which has not gone unnoticed by the coaching staff.
Contributions on Special Teams
In addition to his scoring efforts, Nikishin contributes defensively on the penalty kill, averaging 1:34 of ice time in that area and allowing just one goal against while contributing to a shorthanded goal. Although he has yet to catch a break on the power play owing to a lack of opportunities, Nikishin has been placed in that unit, indicating the coaches’ trust in his capabilities.
Physicality and Skill Set
One distinguishing feature of Nikishin’s game is his physicality; he leads the Hurricanes in hits and ranks among the top five defensemen across the NHL in that metric. His ability to make hard hits paired with impressive shot speeds has caught many eyes; he holds the two hardest shots recorded within the team, showcasing a slapshot reaching speeds of 96.08 mph, with an even mightier shot measured at 98.97 mph, also ranking among the top in the league.
Skating Ability and Team Dynamics
His skating ability has also attracted positive attention, with a max skating speed that places him in the 85th percentile and exceptional bursts of speed that highlight his agility for a player of his size. His teammate Sean Walker praised his physical attributes and skill set, indicating that he is developing into an essential asset for the team’s defense.
Future Potential
Despite his aggressive style, Nikishin has shown a willingness to protect his teammates, which has been praised by Brind’Amour. The coach acknowledged his potential, suggesting that as he learns and integrates into the team’s system, he might just be tapping into the surface of his talent. Teammate Pyotr Kochetkov reinforced this sentiment, noting that Nikishin has adapted well to the team’s systems and continues to improve daily. As the season unfolds, if Nikishin continues on this trajectory, he could become a cornerstone for the Hurricanes’ defense for years to come.
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