Blues rumored pursuing Nikishin

[TheJackBurton]

at this point today, Nikishin would be more of a luxury than a necessity. Would he help us? absolutely, and he would grow with the team and getting a top 4 dman is never a bad thing.

But he isn't needed, he plays a position we have in abundance on both the NHL roster and in the minors. What we have may not be as good as him, but they aren't a bunch of pedestrians either.

Unless we can get him without giving much, and don't have to take Kotkaniemi sure, but if the cost is expensive and we have to take Kotkaniemi, no thanks there's just point.

If the Blues can fit both in their salary structure..you do it without hesitation. Parayko and Binnington can both go if necessary. Both are long gone by the time we are a cup contender anyway.

:::sigh:::

[LGB73]

There's a rumor on St Louis Blues Reddit that the Hurricanes told us they want Neighbours and a 1st for Nikishin and Kotkaniemi.

Boy I'd have to think long and hard about that one.

I guess if the Blues think Nikishin is the real deal it makes sense.

I wouldn't. I'd laugh and hang up

I don't get the fascination with Nikishin.

Id be fine trading Neighbours in the right trade.

Nikishin had 33 points and was +18 and is only 24. Not too shabby, and if all they want is a 3rd liner and a first, I do that all day.

Next years draft is a lot better than this years. They can have Lindstein or Parayko or Fowler but I would under no circumstances trade that 1st unless it’s top 10 protected

I’m sure the draft is better, but that guy is a year from getting drafted, then 3-4 years after that away from making an impact here, by which time Thomas will be starting to age out. I’d rather have the guy that fits in with the current group.

There isn't much they can do to open the window to being Cup contenders in the next 2-3 years. They'll be lucky to go from bubble team to regular playoff team in that timeframe. They need their prospects to develop into players and the young NHL guys to develop into vets. Thomas is definitely going to be pushing 30 when the pieces come into place to make a run at the Cup.

[UMR-alum-05]

There's a rumor on St Louis Blues Reddit that the Hurricanes told us they want Neighbours and a 1st for Nikishin and Kotkaniemi.

Boy I'd have to think long and hard about that one.

I guess if the Blues think Nikishin is the real deal it makes sense.

I wouldn't. I'd laugh and hang up

I don't get the fascination with Nikishin.

Id be fine trading Neighbours in the right trade.

Nikishin had 33 points and was +18 and is only 24. Not too shabby, and if all they want is a 3rd liner and a first, I do that all day.

Next years draft is a lot better than this years. They can have Lindstein or Parayko or Fowler but I would under no circumstances trade that 1st unless it’s top 10 protected

I’m sure the draft is better, but that guy is a year from getting drafted, then 3-4 years after that away from making an impact here, by which time Thomas will be starting to age out. I’d rather have the guy that fits in with the current group.

There isn't much they can do to open the window to being Cup contenders in the next 2-3 years. They'll be lucky to go from bubble team to regular playoff team in that timeframe. They need their prospects to develop into players and the young NHL guys to develop into vets. Thomas is definitely going to be pushing 30 when the pieces come into place to make a run at the Cup.

If Dvorsky takes a big step this year. If Mailloux takes another step this year. If CM, MM, and Buch are a legit 50-60 points each line. They can get back to regular playoffs status.

[UMR-alum-05]

There's a rumor on St Louis Blues Reddit that the Hurricanes told us they want Neighbours and a 1st for Nikishin and Kotkaniemi.

Boy I'd have to think long and hard about that one.

I guess if the Blues think Nikishin is the real deal it makes sense.

I wouldn't. I'd laugh and hang up

I don't get the fascination with Nikishin.

Id be fine trading Neighbours in the right trade.

They want to add size on their backend and Nikishin provides that along with a good skill set. He solidifies your top 4 for years to come.
I’d be shocked if Neighbours is a guy that Carolina has any real interest in.

I wouldn't. Neighbours brings a lot of intangibles. For as much as most people here overrate him. I've seen you once or twice underrate him. Neighbours hits and can clean up trash at the net. Good teams have players like that.

[LGB73]

There's a rumor on St Louis Blues Reddit that the Hurricanes told us they want Neighbours and a 1st for Nikishin and Kotkaniemi.

Boy I'd have to think long and hard about that one.

I guess if the Blues think Nikishin is the real deal it makes sense.

I wouldn't. I'd laugh and hang up

I don't get the fascination with Nikishin.

Id be fine trading Neighbours in the right trade.

Nikishin had 33 points and was +18 and is only 24. Not too shabby, and if all they want is a 3rd liner and a first, I do that all day.

Next years draft is a lot better than this years. They can have Lindstein or Parayko or Fowler but I would under no circumstances trade that 1st unless it’s top 10 protected

I’m sure the draft is better, but that guy is a year from getting drafted, then 3-4 years after that away from making an impact here, by which time Thomas will be starting to age out. I’d rather have the guy that fits in with the current group.

There isn't much they can do to open the window to being Cup contenders in the next 2-3 years. They'll be lucky to go from bubble team to regular playoff team in that timeframe. They need their prospects to develop into players and the young NHL guys to develop into vets. Thomas is definitely going to be pushing 30 when the pieces come into place to make a run at the Cup.

If Dvorsky takes a big step this year. If Mailloux takes another step this year. If CM, MM, and Buch are a legit 50-60 points each line. They can get back to regular playoffs status.

Lot of ifs and I'm always for catching a jolt in our favor. I just think we're going to need a few more seasons to mature. Why I wouldn't be rushing to sacrifice too many good assets. Let the team grow into it.

I'm worried they're not going to pair Dvorsky with the kind of wingers he needs. He needs fast, forechecking guys with the skill. Think Schenn when he was paired with Holloway and Kyrou. He's got the skills to be a 2C but needs good wingers to help bring that out of him. He's not a playmaking C that is going to raise his linemates up but he is a scorer with a 200' game if he's with the right guys.

[callitwhatyouwant]

at this point today, Nikishin would be more of a luxury than a necessity. Would he help us? absolutely, and he would grow with the team and getting a top 4 dman is never a bad thing.

But he isn't needed, he plays a position we have in abundance on both the NHL roster and in the minors. What we have may not be as good as him, but they aren't a bunch of pedestrians either.

Unless we can get him without giving much, and don't have to take Kotkaniemi sure, but if the cost is expensive and we have to take Kotkaniemi, no thanks there's just point.

If the Blues can fit both in their salary structure..you do it without hesitation. Parayko and Binnington can both go if necessary. Both are long gone by the time we are a cup contender anyway.

The organization has already announced Parayko is not being traded. The fact that you continue to run around from thread to thread talking about him being traded is bizarre. For all we know the player is refusing to be traded which is his contractual right.

it more appears by the way the Blues are moving that they are attempting to be better right now. Parayko is a right now asset. Find me a better defender in the league thru 2030 at a 6.5m salary. Just give it a try, it's next to impossible. The Blues want the guys who are young to have people that have a clue what they are doing. The only person who I could see being traded would be Binnington unless the team utterly collapses. And the only reason I see someone being interested in Binner is because one of 2 things happens. He plays well enough to be traded to a cup contender who happens to have a injury or is lacking in goal (most likely injury.) The other option would be that Hofer is outplaying Binner so hard that they are just looking to give him a shot where there won't be a bit of controversy as they let Hofer have a little bigger runway down the stretch.

Like you said, it's annoying seeing people throw around names that have actual backing about not being traded.

[TraveledLessRoad]

Here's where AI falls on this:

The most mutually acceptable trade
Trade Proposal A — My preferred realistic deal

Blues receive

D Alexander Nikishin
C/LW Jesperi Kotkaniemi

Hurricanes receive

LW/RW Jake Neighbours
D Logan Mailloux
2027 1st-round pick
2028 4th-round pick

Why this works
This is the package that feels most “mutually acceptable” if Carolina insists on attaching Kotkaniemi’s $4.82M cap hit to Nikishin, which has been part of the rumor chatter. For Carolina, the Hurricanes get an NHL forward in Neighbours, a young right-shot defenseman in Mailloux, a first-round pick, and cap relief by moving Kotkaniemi. Carolina already has major forward money committed to Sebastian Aho, Nikolaj Ehlers, Andrei Svechnikov, Seth Jarvis, Logan Stankoven, Jackson Blake, and Kotkaniemi, so clearing Kotkaniemi’s $4.82M while adding a younger controlled forward makes sense.

For St. Louis, the Blues get the best player in the deal: a 24-year-old left-shot defenseman who just had 11 goals, 22 assists, 33 points, plus-18, and made the NHL All-Rookie Team. The cap math is tight but workable. St. Louis has about $10.24M in projected cap space, while Kotkaniemi costs $4.82M, and Nikishin is rumored to be seeking something around or north of $8M AAV. If Neighbours’ $3.75M and Mailloux’s $850K go out, St. Louis would clear about $4.6M, meaning the net add would be roughly $8.2M if Nikishin signs at $8M and Kotkaniemi comes with him. That squeezes under the current projected space, though St. Louis would need to manage roster count and probably avoid another meaningful signing.

Verdict: This is the cleanest “yes for both sides” structure.

[Frank Underwood]

Here's where AI falls on this:

The most mutually acceptable trade
Trade Proposal A — My preferred realistic deal

Blues receive

D Alexander Nikishin
C/LW Jesperi Kotkaniemi

Hurricanes receive

LW/RW Jake Neighbours
D Logan Mailloux
2027 1st-round pick
2028 4th-round pick

Why this works
This is the package that feels most “mutually acceptable” if Carolina insists on attaching Kotkaniemi’s $4.82M cap hit to Nikishin, which has been part of the rumor chatter. For Carolina, the Hurricanes get an NHL forward in Neighbours, a young right-shot defenseman in Mailloux, a first-round pick, and cap relief by moving Kotkaniemi. Carolina already has major forward money committed to Sebastian Aho, Nikolaj Ehlers, Andrei Svechnikov, Seth Jarvis, Logan Stankoven, Jackson Blake, and Kotkaniemi, so clearing Kotkaniemi’s $4.82M while adding a younger controlled forward makes sense.

For St. Louis, the Blues get the best player in the deal: a 24-year-old left-shot defenseman who just had 11 goals, 22 assists, 33 points, plus-18, and made the NHL All-Rookie Team. The cap math is tight but workable. St. Louis has about $10.24M in projected cap space, while Kotkaniemi costs $4.82M, and Nikishin is rumored to be seeking something around or north of $8M AAV. If Neighbours’ $3.75M and Mailloux’s $850K go out, St. Louis would clear about $4.6M, meaning the net add would be roughly $8.2M if Nikishin signs at $8M and Kotkaniemi comes with him. That squeezes under the current projected space, though St. Louis would need to manage roster count and probably avoid another meaningful signing.

Verdict: This is the cleanest “yes for both sides” structure.

That is flat out insanity. Shows that AI is far from perfect.

[succinct712]

Here's where AI falls on this:

The most mutually acceptable trade
Trade Proposal A — My preferred realistic deal

Blues receive

D Alexander Nikishin
C/LW Jesperi Kotkaniemi

Hurricanes receive

LW/RW Jake Neighbours
D Logan Mailloux
2027 1st-round pick
2028 4th-round pick

Why this works
This is the package that feels most “mutually acceptable” if Carolina insists on attaching Kotkaniemi’s $4.82M cap hit to Nikishin, which has been part of the rumor chatter. For Carolina, the Hurricanes get an NHL forward in Neighbours, a young right-shot defenseman in Mailloux, a first-round pick, and cap relief by moving Kotkaniemi. Carolina already has major forward money committed to Sebastian Aho, Nikolaj Ehlers, Andrei Svechnikov, Seth Jarvis, Logan Stankoven, Jackson Blake, and Kotkaniemi, so clearing Kotkaniemi’s $4.82M while adding a younger controlled forward makes sense.

For St. Louis, the Blues get the best player in the deal: a 24-year-old left-shot defenseman who just had 11 goals, 22 assists, 33 points, plus-18, and made the NHL All-Rookie Team. The cap math is tight but workable. St. Louis has about $10.24M in projected cap space, while Kotkaniemi costs $4.82M, and Nikishin is rumored to be seeking something around or north of $8M AAV. If Neighbours’ $3.75M and Mailloux’s $850K go out, St. Louis would clear about $4.6M, meaning the net add would be roughly $8.2M if Nikishin signs at $8M and Kotkaniemi comes with him. That squeezes under the current projected space, though St. Louis would need to manage roster count and probably avoid another meaningful signing.

Verdict: This is the cleanest “yes for both sides” structure.

That is flat out insanity. Shows that AI is far from perfect.

Sounds like a Carolina homer fan fantasy trade.

[Backesdraft]

Here's where AI falls on this:

The most mutually acceptable trade
Trade Proposal A — My preferred realistic deal

Blues receive

D Alexander Nikishin
C/LW Jesperi Kotkaniemi

Hurricanes receive

LW/RW Jake Neighbours
D Logan Mailloux
2027 1st-round pick
2028 4th-round pick

Why this works
This is the package that feels most “mutually acceptable” if Carolina insists on attaching Kotkaniemi’s $4.82M cap hit to Nikishin, which has been part of the rumor chatter. For Carolina, the Hurricanes get an NHL forward in Neighbours, a young right-shot defenseman in Mailloux, a first-round pick, and cap relief by moving Kotkaniemi. Carolina already has major forward money committed to Sebastian Aho, Nikolaj Ehlers, Andrei Svechnikov, Seth Jarvis, Logan Stankoven, Jackson Blake, and Kotkaniemi, so clearing Kotkaniemi’s $4.82M while adding a younger controlled forward makes sense.

For St. Louis, the Blues get the best player in the deal: a 24-year-old left-shot defenseman who just had 11 goals, 22 assists, 33 points, plus-18, and made the NHL All-Rookie Team. The cap math is tight but workable. St. Louis has about $10.24M in projected cap space, while Kotkaniemi costs $4.82M, and Nikishin is rumored to be seeking something around or north of $8M AAV. If Neighbours’ $3.75M and Mailloux’s $850K go out, St. Louis would clear about $4.6M, meaning the net add would be roughly $8.2M if Nikishin signs at $8M and Kotkaniemi comes with him. That squeezes under the current projected space, though St. Louis would need to manage roster count and probably avoid another meaningful signing.

Verdict: This is the cleanest “yes for both sides” structure.

That is flat out insanity. Shows that AI is far from perfect.

Sounds like a Carolina homer fan fantasy trade.

I’m in the camp of being VERY interested in Nikishin. That said, no way I’m giving a 1st, LM, and JN for Nikishin if we have to take JK back. No effing way.

[UMR-alum-05]

The Blues aren't trading Mailloux under pretty much any circumstance that I can see.

[bluetunehead]

Here's where AI falls on this:

The most mutually acceptable trade
Trade Proposal A — My preferred realistic deal

Blues receive

D Alexander Nikishin
C/LW Jesperi Kotkaniemi

Hurricanes receive

LW/RW Jake Neighbours
D Logan Mailloux
2027 1st-round pick
2028 4th-round pick

Why this works
This is the package that feels most “mutually acceptable” if Carolina insists on attaching Kotkaniemi’s $4.82M cap hit to Nikishin, which has been part of the rumor chatter. For Carolina, the Hurricanes get an NHL forward in Neighbours, a young right-shot defenseman in Mailloux, a first-round pick, and cap relief by moving Kotkaniemi. Carolina already has major forward money committed to Sebastian Aho, Nikolaj Ehlers, Andrei Svechnikov, Seth Jarvis, Logan Stankoven, Jackson Blake, and Kotkaniemi, so clearing Kotkaniemi’s $4.82M while adding a younger controlled forward makes sense.

For St. Louis, the Blues get the best player in the deal: a 24-year-old left-shot defenseman who just had 11 goals, 22 assists, 33 points, plus-18, and made the NHL All-Rookie Team. The cap math is tight but workable. St. Louis has about $10.24M in projected cap space, while Kotkaniemi costs $4.82M, and Nikishin is rumored to be seeking something around or north of $8M AAV. If Neighbours’ $3.75M and Mailloux’s $850K go out, St. Louis would clear about $4.6M, meaning the net add would be roughly $8.2M if Nikishin signs at $8M and Kotkaniemi comes with him. That squeezes under the current projected space, though St. Louis would need to manage roster count and probably avoid another meaningful signing.

Verdict: This is the cleanest “yes for both sides” structure.

That is flat out insanity. Shows that AI is far from perfect.

AI is predictive text in large form. It is not smart and doesn't have any idea what it's talking about. It just lays out what it has pulled together from random web scraping.

In this case... clearly Carolina fan dreams lol

If we're forced into taking JK then I'd basically offer Neighbours straight up. That's about it.

[succinct712]

Here's where AI falls on this:

The most mutually acceptable trade
Trade Proposal A — My preferred realistic deal

Blues receive

D Alexander Nikishin
C/LW Jesperi Kotkaniemi

Hurricanes receive

LW/RW Jake Neighbours
D Logan Mailloux
2027 1st-round pick
2028 4th-round pick

Why this works
This is the package that feels most “mutually acceptable” if Carolina insists on attaching Kotkaniemi’s $4.82M cap hit to Nikishin, which has been part of the rumor chatter. For Carolina, the Hurricanes get an NHL forward in Neighbours, a young right-shot defenseman in Mailloux, a first-round pick, and cap relief by moving Kotkaniemi. Carolina already has major forward money committed to Sebastian Aho, Nikolaj Ehlers, Andrei Svechnikov, Seth Jarvis, Logan Stankoven, Jackson Blake, and Kotkaniemi, so clearing Kotkaniemi’s $4.82M while adding a younger controlled forward makes sense.

For St. Louis, the Blues get the best player in the deal: a 24-year-old left-shot defenseman who just had 11 goals, 22 assists, 33 points, plus-18, and made the NHL All-Rookie Team. The cap math is tight but workable. St. Louis has about $10.24M in projected cap space, while Kotkaniemi costs $4.82M, and Nikishin is rumored to be seeking something around or north of $8M AAV. If Neighbours’ $3.75M and Mailloux’s $850K go out, St. Louis would clear about $4.6M, meaning the net add would be roughly $8.2M if Nikishin signs at $8M and Kotkaniemi comes with him. That squeezes under the current projected space, though St. Louis would need to manage roster count and probably avoid another meaningful signing.

Verdict: This is the cleanest “yes for both sides” structure.

That is flat out insanity. Shows that AI is far from perfect.

Sounds like a Carolina homer fan fantasy trade.

I’m in the camp of being VERY interested in Nikishin. That said, no way I’m giving a 1st, LM, and JN for Nikishin if we have to take JK back. No effing way.

Yes, if Steen makes that trade I'm immediately off the Steen bandwagon!

[smilinjoefission]

Here's where AI falls on this:

The most mutually acceptable trade
Trade Proposal A — My preferred realistic deal

Blues receive

D Alexander Nikishin
C/LW Jesperi Kotkaniemi

Hurricanes receive

LW/RW Jake Neighbours
D Logan Mailloux
2027 1st-round pick
2028 4th-round pick

Why this works
This is the package that feels most “mutually acceptable” if Carolina insists on attaching Kotkaniemi’s $4.82M cap hit to Nikishin, which has been part of the rumor chatter. For Carolina, the Hurricanes get an NHL forward in Neighbours, a young right-shot defenseman in Mailloux, a first-round pick, and cap relief by moving Kotkaniemi. Carolina already has major forward money committed to Sebastian Aho, Nikolaj Ehlers, Andrei Svechnikov, Seth Jarvis, Logan Stankoven, Jackson Blake, and Kotkaniemi, so clearing Kotkaniemi’s $4.82M while adding a younger controlled forward makes sense.

For St. Louis, the Blues get the best player in the deal: a 24-year-old left-shot defenseman who just had 11 goals, 22 assists, 33 points, plus-18, and made the NHL All-Rookie Team. The cap math is tight but workable. St. Louis has about $10.24M in projected cap space, while Kotkaniemi costs $4.82M, and Nikishin is rumored to be seeking something around or north of $8M AAV. If Neighbours’ $3.75M and Mailloux’s $850K go out, St. Louis would clear about $4.6M, meaning the net add would be roughly $8.2M if Nikishin signs at $8M and Kotkaniemi comes with him. That squeezes under the current projected space, though St. Louis would need to manage roster count and probably avoid another meaningful signing.

Verdict: This is the cleanest “yes for both sides” structure.

This AI is obviously special needs because NO WAY we give basically 3 1st rounders for a rookie and a 1st round overpaid bust....we just got rid of Drouin, we don't need another. My trade Nikishin/Kotkaniemi/1st for Neighbours because I'm not doing anything more than a straight up trade one for one Nikishin and Neighbours, that's all he's worth as of right now. He might get better, he might crash out. They want us to take that useless trash Kotkaniemi, they pay us a 1st. Steen ain't stoopid, he won't do anything close to that AI trade

[UMR-alum-05]

Here I'll entertain this trade for a second.

Neighbours + what I'll call "a TBD draft pick" for Nikishin and Kotkaniemi.

Here's your lineup.

Holloway Thomas Snuggerud
McMichael McTavish Buch
Suter Dvorsky Berggren
Johnston Kotkaniemi Torpchenko

Finley Walker. (Stenberg to the AHL or trade)

Broberg Mailloux
Nikishin Parayko
Fowler Carlo
Tucker

Cap wise they are at 94MM today. Add 6.5MM for McMichael, the rumored 8MM for Nikishin, 4.8MM for Kotkaniemi subtract 3.75MM for Neighbours and 6.5MM for Krug. This trade just fits. Just barely fits the cap. Doesn't leave you any flexibility really for the season either. For me something else would also have to move out like perhaps Torpchenko and play Peterson or Walker in that spot. That would save a million plus and create some flexibility.

Then youve effectively blocked Lindstein from the roster for a couple years. I suppose you could consider a trade with Lindstein.

[netboy65]

Here I'll entertain this trade for a second.

Neighbours + what I'll call "a TBD draft pick" for Nikishin and Kotkaniemi.

Here's your lineup.

Holloway Thomas Snuggerud
McMichael McTavish Buch
Suter Dvorsky Berggren
Johnston Kotkaniemi Torpchenko

Finley Walker. (Stenberg to the AHL or trade)

Broberg Mailloux
Nikishin Parayko
Fowler Carlo
Tucker

Cap wise they are at 94MM today. Add 6.5MM for McMichael, the rumored 8MM for Nikishin, 4.8MM for Kotkaniemi subtract 3.75MM for Neighbours and 6.5MM for Krug. This trade just fits. Just barely fits the cap. Doesn't leave you any flexibility really for the season either. For me something else would also have to move out like perhaps Torpchenko and play Peterson or Walker in that spot. That would save a million plus and create some flexibility.

Then youve effectively blocked Lindstein from the roster for a couple years. I suppose you could consider a trade with Lindstein.

In you D pairings, I switch Mailloux and Carlo. It frees up Broberg and Mailloux to get more involved in the offense.