What happened: The 24-year-old still desires a change of scenery as of Monday, per The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun. Carolina was open to trading him in June and reportedly offered him plus a first-round pick to the Winnipeg Jets for Connor Hellebuyck.
Why it matters: He is not eligible for an offer sheet, which keeps his rights with Carolina. His depth-chart path is unchanged with the top five defensemen from last season still on the roster.
By the numbers: Nikishin tallied 33 points in 81 games as a rookie in 2025-26 and finished seventh in Calder Trophy voting. His average ice time fell from 18:11 in the regular season to 14:50 over 17 playoff games, where he added one assist.
What to watch: Training camps open Sept. 16, forcing a resolution on his unsigned RFA status.