The Carolina Hurricanes are the reigning and defending Stanley Cup champions entering the 2026-27 season. It was a long time coming for Carolina to finally win it all. They had shown themselves to be true contenders for the better part of a decade. However, they had fallen short each time before 2026.
In 2026, they left no doubt as to who the best in the league was. They stormed through the Stanley Cup Playoffs, losing just three games all postseason. They won each of their first eight playoff games, and 12 of their first 13. In a way, they didn't face a true challenge until the Stanley Cup Final itself.
It's one of the most dominating performances we'll ever see in the playoffs. Carolina played at a different speed than most of the teams they took on. They earned the right to hoist the Cup in June when they defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in six games.
Now, the Hurricanes have to do it all over again. Carolina has to prepare for the long, grueling season ahead. This year, the grind is a bit more taxing, with two additional regular-season games added to their ledger.
That's life in the NHL, and for champions in all sports. No one will make excuses for them or give sympathy ahead of the winding season. It's the reality they need to face, though, and their final preparations are underway.
Before the puck drops, though, there is one very important piece of business the Hurricanes must address this fall.
Hurricanes must address Alexander Nikishin trade request
Rumors around the Hurricanes in the summer had them seeking a trade involving Alexander Nikishin. They may not have been explicitly shopping him. But if an offer came along where trading Nikishin made sense, they would do it. The young defenseman was not untouchable.
Article Continues BelowA trade has not materialized at this time. However, he is unsigned for the 2026-27 campaign. He also recently requested a trade from the Hurricanes, and is not at training camp as a result.
Carolina cannot allow this situation to drag into the season. They have a Stanley Cup championship to defend. Carolina has one of the smarter front offices in the league. They undoubtedly know this sort of distraction can be detrimental to their goals.
The Hurricanes need to sit down with Nikishin and figure out a solution. Can the Hurricanes sign him to a bridge contract? Even a short one-year contract could help. That would allow both sides to revisit this either at the trade deadline or next summer.
If they cannot get him to sign, then a trade before the season needs to happen. Nikishin is valuable as a promising young defenseman with solid experience already. The public knowledge of the trade request takes away some of Carolina's leverage. However, that leverage is far from zero.
The Hurricanes can hold out as long as they need for the right trade package. Whether this is for immediate help, or if they swing a deal for future assets that can be flipped later on. As long as this is resolved before the regular season, Carolina can go in any desired direction.
Nikishin has a bright future in the NHL. And Carolina certainly knows this. However, it's clear that the two sides need to go their separate ways. The Hurricanes should accomadate this before the 2026-27 campaign.