It’s probably impossible to exceed the hype of Alexander Nikishin finally coming to North America and joining the Carolina Hurricanes. But let’s try anyway. The Hurricanes, having signed their top prospect to a two-year entry-level contract on Friday after SKA St.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes on Friday signed top prospect Alexander Nikishin to a two-year, entry-level contract that begins immediately. Nikishin, 23, got his first NHL contract hours after he and his KHL club, SKA Saint Petersburg, mutually terminated that deal. SKA did the same with Montreal's Ivan Demidov earlier this week.

The Hurricanes’ third-round draft pick in 2020 played for SKA in the Russian pro league, but has had his contract terminated, allowing him to come to NHL.