Story Summary
Two separate defence-market stories have emerged around Alexander Nikishin and Simon Edvinsson, both of whom remain restricted free agents.
Stefen Rosner reported that the New York Islanders had previously spoken with the Carolina Hurricanes about Nikishin. The reported interest has gained fresh relevance after Alexander Romanov was ruled out for six to eight months following a torn ACL in his right knee. The Islanders have not announced a move for Nikishin, and no trade or contract agreement has been confirmed.
Nikishin remains unsigned in Carolina after becoming a restricted free agent on July 1. Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky said late last month that the club and player were trying to find a resolution, while the defenceman was absent for the opening of the 2026-27 season.
Edvinsson is at the centre of a separate report. Elliotte Friedman reportedly indicated that the 23-year-old would prefer a trade from the Detroit Red Wings. Frank Seravalli further reported that Detroit has told interested clubs it would rather receive NHL-ready players, though it could consider a futures-led offer if the overall package were strong enough. Detroit has not confirmed that Edvinsson has requested a trade.
Key Facts
- Alexander Romanov is expected to miss six to eight months after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee; the Islanders announced the injury on October 7.
- The Islanders had reportedly spoken with Carolina about Alexander Nikishin before Romanov’s injury.
- Nikishin is an unsigned Hurricanes restricted free agent, and Carolina has said it is attempting to resolve the situation.
- Nikishin recorded 11 goals and 33 points as a rookie in 2025-26, then played 17 postseason games during Carolina’s Stanley Cup-winning run.
- Simon Edvinsson is a 23-year-old restricted free agent who practised with Detroit during training camp while unsigned.
- Edvinsson had nine goals and 25 points in 72 games last season, averaging 22:21 of ice time for Detroit.
- Detroit reportedly prefers NHL-ready help in an Edvinsson return, but may consider picks and prospects if the package is compelling.
IHM Discussion
The Islanders’ reported Nikishin interest is logical only in the broadest hockey sense: Romanov’s absence removes a regular defenceman from their group for a prolonged period, while Nikishin is an accomplished young blueliner whose contract situation in Carolina remains unresolved. That does not make a deal imminent. It does, however, create a credible reason for New York to revisit any earlier conversation if it believes the player’s availability has changed.
The key complication is that acquiring Nikishin would not be simply a matter of identifying a replacement. Any club pursuing him would need to reach an agreement with a restricted free agent who is still under Hurricanes control. Carolina’s position is also not one of a club publicly seeking to move him. Tulsky has described the situation as an attempt to find a resolution, which leaves the Islanders link as reported interest rather than evidence of a developing transaction.
Edvinsson’s case has a different shape. The report is not merely that rival clubs could value a young, high-minute defenceman; it is that he would prefer a move and that Detroit has communicated preferences about the type of return it would want. Those are meaningful distinctions. A trade preference, if accurately reported, is not a completed request, and Detroit’s reported desire for NHL-ready players suggests the club would be reluctant to exchange present-day capability solely for longer-term assets.
That reported stance is consistent with Edvinsson’s importance to Detroit on the ice.
Why It Matters
For the Islanders, Romanov’s injury creates an immediate depth issue rather than proof that one particular outside solution will arrive. Nikishin would represent a high-end talent play, but his unresolved Carolina contract situation means the cost and mechanics would be central to any serious pursuit.
For Detroit, the reported Edvinsson preference matters because he is not a marginal roster player. A club moving a 23-year-old defenceman who averaged more than 22 minutes a night would need to be clear about what it is receiving in return and how it replaces those minutes.
IHM Market Outlook
The market signal is the scarcity of young, established defencemen with both contractual uncertainty and substantial NHL value. Nikishin’s situation is complicated by Carolina retaining his restricted-free-agent rights, while Edvinsson’s reported trade preference is complicated by Detroit’s alleged wish for NHL-ready pieces.
San Jose, St. Louis and Toronto were identified as theoretical Edvinsson fits. San Jose was presented as a club with prospects and picks to offer; St. Louis was linked to Nikishin and described as needing salary movement; Toronto was described as having limited trade capital and a need to move salary even with long-term injured reserve space. These are possible frameworks, not reported negotiations or offers.
Mini Q&A
Have the Islanders acquired Alexander Nikishin?
No. The Islanders were reportedly in contact with Carolina previously, but no acquisition or contract agreement has been confirmed.
Why has Nikishin been linked with New York?
The link has resurfaced after Alexander Romanov was ruled out for six to eight months with a torn ACL, leaving the Islanders without a regular defenceman for an extended period.
Is Simon Edvinsson officially on the trade market?
No official trade request or deal has been announced. The report is that Edvinsson would prefer a trade, while Detroit has reportedly outlined the type of return it would favour.
What would Detroit reportedly seek for Edvinsson?
Detroit reportedly prefers NHL-ready players, though it could consider a package built more around draft picks and prospects if the return were strong enough.
Coach Mark Comment
A defenceman’s value is not measured only by points or reputation; it is also reflected in the minutes a coaching staff trusts him to handle. Edvinsson’s 22:21 nightly average last season underlines why Detroit would be justified in demanding immediate help rather than treating him as a routine futures sale. For the Islanders, replacing Romanov’s availability is a roster problem first, and any external addition would still need to fit the group’s existing defensive responsibilities.
IHM Final View
Neither situation should be mistaken for a completed move. The Islanders are reportedly connected to Nikishin at a time when Romanov faces a lengthy absence, but Carolina still controls Nikishin’s rights and remains publicly focused on a resolution. Edvinsson’s reported preference to leave Detroit has created a broader market conversation, yet Detroit’s reported asking posture points to a demanding price. Until a club announces a trade or a contract, these remain consequential rumours rather than transactions.