When Dmitry Orlov signed a free agent deal with the San Jose Sharks this summer, it marked the end of his brief but important stint with the Carolina Hurricanes. For rookie defenseman Alexander Nikishin, the move hit hard.
The 23-year-old admitted it was “a pity” to lose the $13 million blueliner who had guided him through the early days of his NHL transition.
Alexander Nikishin Reacts to Dmitry Orlov’s Exit As Hurricanes Look Ahead
Orlov, who signed a two-year, $13 million deal with the Sharks in July, described the move as a “fresh start” after two uneven seasons in Raleigh. The 33-year-old defenseman admitted he needed a reset after never quite finding the role he expected with Carolina.
Dmitry Orlov, signed 2x$6.5M by SJ, is a veteran top four puck-moving defenceman who’s useful in transition and plays bigger than his 5’11 height. Followed up a strong regular season by getting absolutely lit up in the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/HkDRbPKrta
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 3, 2025
“When I signed in Raleigh you expect one thing. When [your play is not] showing up or the coach is not believing you, and it’s always the bottom [pair],” Orlov said after signing in San Jose.
“Everybody has their own story and career. Right now, it’s a new chapter, a new fresh start for me with a new team, a young team, too. So it’s going to be a new experience for me.”
For one Hurricanes rookie, Orlov’s departure was more than a roster change; it was personal. Nikishin, 23, credited his veteran countryman with guiding him through the early stages of his NHL transition last spring.
“Dima helped me a lot on the bench when the coach said something,” Nikishin explained.
“Many hockey terms are used in Russia, too, so I understood the basics. Of course, I didn’t know everything, but I had the foundation. It’s a pity I couldn’t play with him longer, but he helped me a lot at the start,” he said.
The two defensemen spent only a few months together, but the mentorship was impactful. Language and culture presented obstacles, and Orlov’s presence made the adjustment less overwhelming.
Alexander Nikishin’s First Full NHL Season in Focus
Drafted in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft, the Hurricanes prospect arrived in Carolina last spring after finishing his season with SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL. He only saw action in the playoffs, making his debut against the Washington Capitals.
Exciting NHL debut tonight in Hurricanes–Capitals Game 5 for:
D Alexander Nikishin!
A 2020 draft pick by Carolina, Nikishin has been a top offensive defenseman in the KHL the last few seasons.
He’ll debut with D Jalen Chatfield (undisclosed) out.#RaiseUp #ALLCAPS #NHL https://t.co/fNsYTPC9AR
— Sports Forecaster (@SpoFo) May 15, 2025
Those first games were filled with nerves. The rookie admitted his debut was overwhelming, from the speed of play to an early penalty he regretted.
Still, he earned his first NHL point with an assist in his third game, and the Hurricanes advanced to the Eastern Conference Final.
The Russian blueliner pointed to the professionalism of Carolina’s veterans as a major influence.
With Orlov gone, the spotlight will shift toward the rookie and how quickly he can establish himself as a reliable piece of Carolina’s defense. He says he’s ready to take that step.
“I can’t wait for the season, but preparation is the key,” Nikishin said. “I want to be as useful for the team as possible, without being the weak link.”
