Carolina Hurricanes prospect Alexander Nikishin is set to make his NHL debut in Game 5 against the Washington Capitals, filling in for defenseman Jalen Chatfield, who is sidelined with an undisclosed injury. The 23-year-old, who was signed by the Hurricanes in April after his KHL season, has yet to play in the NHL or AHL but had an impressive season in the KHL, finishing with 46 points in 61 games and leading all KHL defensemen in points in the previous two seasons. Nikishin, a 6-foot-4 defenseman, was drafted by the Hurricanes in the third round in 2020.
