Alexander Nikishin's trade request isn't going anywhere fast, and Elliotte Friedman believes the Hurricanes would still take him back.
“I'm just under the impression right now there's absolutely no trade possibility on the immediate radar,” Friedman said on Saturday Headlines.
He added that the biggest question is whether Nikishin goes back, and that he thinks Carolina would take him back.
NHL Rumour Report noted a variety of teams have been linked to him in recent months, including Nashville, St. Louis, Los Angeles, the Rangers, Winnipeg and Philadelphia.
Carolina holds every card here. A team rolling like this has no reason to take a discount just to make a problem disappear.
It's like owning a house in a hot market. You don't have to sell, so you wait for the offer you actually want.
The Hurricanes are 4-1-1 after Saturday's 5-2 win in Chicago, their fourth straight victory.
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Vegas, Vancouver, New Jersey and Nashville could also emerge as potential landing spots for Nikishin. The Golden Knights have never been afraid to make an aggressive move, while Vancouver and New Jersey could use another high-upside defenseman.
Look out for the Leafs to also be involved!
Nashville remains one of the more intriguing teams to watch, and Washington could become a factor if the Capitals decide to add more size and depth on the blue line.
None of those teams appears close to a deal right now, but Carolina's asking price will determine who stays involved.
The Hurricanes may refuse to blink in the Alexander Nikishin trade saga
The blue line has held up fine without him. Shayne Gostisbehere has 4 points, including a power-play goal.
Sean Walker has 4 assists, while K'Andre Miller carries a $7,500,000 cap hit on that back end.
Jaccob Slavin is still anchoring things with a +2 rating, so there's no panic in that room.
Up front, Sebastian Aho leads the way with 9 points, 5 of them goals.
Logan Stankoven has 4 goals, and Andrei Svechnikov has 6 points.
As a team, Carolina has already piled up 23 goals.
Carolina visits Philadelphia tonight, one of the teams reportedly linked to Nikishin.
The Flyers are still winless and have been connected to plenty of defensemen lately, including Montreal's Arber Xhekaj.
If Nikishin does come back, does he slide right into the lineup, or does Brind'Amour make him earn it?
Eric Tulsky can afford to wait. Plenty of GMs around the league can't say that right now.
Carolina hosts Washington on Tuesday, then visits Winnipeg next Saturday.
For now, the request sits on a desk with no buyer in sight. The only real question is who blinks first.
Should the Hurricanes take Alexander Nikishin back instead of trading him?
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