Alexander Nikishin's North American-based representative is hopeful his client can wear a Carolina Hurricanes uniform before too long.
“We have been working with Carolina on Alexander’s status," Ryan Barnes said, per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. "Our Russian partners are simply excited to see Alexander play for the Hurricanes and so are we.”
Barnes was responding to a story out of Russia with Nikishin's Russian-based agent saying there were complications with negotiations.
Last week, Hurricanes team reporter Walt Ruff said the top defence prospect was granted his petition to travel to the U.S. from Saudi Arabia.
However, progress appears to at least have slowed down on that plan.
The six-foot-four left-shot defenceman put up 17 goals and 29 assists for 46 points in 61 games for SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL.
Nikishin, 23, was selected 69th overall by the Hurricanes in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. SKA Saint Petersburg announced earlier this month that the defenceman was granted his release to move to the NHL.
The Hurricanes then announced that Nikishin had signed an entry-level deal with the NHL club.
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