Hurricanes’ Alexander Nikishin makes long-awaited NHL debut in Game 5 vs Capitals
Defenseman Alexander Nikishin made his NHL debut in the Carolina Hurricanes’ playoff game Thursday against the Washington Capitals.
The Russian-born player took a rookie “solo lap” before the warmup for Game 5 of the Canes’ second-round Stanley Cup playoff series with the Caps at Capital One Arena. He replaced Jalen Chatfield in the lineup.
Chatfield missed practice Wednesday before the Canes’ trip to Washington. Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour said he was giving Chatfield a day off the ice but expected him to be ready for the game as Carolina looked to close out the series.
Chatfield did some skating Thursday, too — the Canes did not have a morning skate — before the lineup decision was made.
Chatfield has been Dmitry Orlov’s defensive partner throughout the season and the playoffs but “tweaked something” in Game 4, according to Brind’Amour. Nikishin was paired with Orlov at times during Wednesday’s practice at Invisalign Arena, but his first shift Thursday came on the team’s third defensive unti, alongside Shayne Gostisnehere.
Canes fans have eagerly awaited Nikishin’s debut since he was whisked from his native Russia to Raleigh soon after the KHL season ended in April. After settling some visa issues, Nikishin was able to join the Hurricanes and begin practicing with the team, and later signed his entry-level contract with Carolina.
Brind’Amour has repeatedly said Nikishin probably would be needed, noting the physicality of the playoffs can be taxing on the D corps. Chatfield played just three shifts in the third period of Game 3 as the Canes took a 4-0 victory. He returned for Game 4 but appeared to be laboring late as the Canes took a 5-2 win for a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Nikishin made his first Lenovo Center appearance with the Canes on Monday, joining the team for the pregame warmup before Game 4.
“It was kind of giving him the routine,” Brind’Amour said Tuesday. “Probably a good chance we’ll have to use him at some point. That was really the reason.”
Many NHL observers have believed Nikishin, 23, could be one of the best defensemen not playing in the league. At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, he has the size to be a physical presence in the defensive zone and the mobility and offensive skills to contribute from the blue line.
“I’m super excited for him, being from the same country and knowing him for a few years,” Canes forward Andrei Svechnikov said Wednesday. “He looks ready, you know. He’s been playing pro hockey for many years.”
Pairing Niksihin with Orlov would allow the two Russians to communicate on the ice and on the bench during the game. Nikishin speaks little English.
“It’s really tough to throw somebody in who doesn’t speak the language,” Brind’Amour said a week ago. “All the thousands (of) reads and quick switches that are going on in the game have to be communicated.”
This story was originally published May 15, 2025 at 1:42 PM.
