Carolina Starts Its Title Defense Without Alexander Nikishin

Carolina starts its Stanley Cup defense on Tuesday against Florida, and one of the defensemen who helped win that Cup won't be there. Alexander Nikishin is still unsigned, didn't report to camp and hasn't taken back the trade request he made this summer.

"I think it's unusual to get to this point with a player unsigned," general manager Eric Tulsky said Monday. "We understand where they are. They understand where we are. We're trying to find a resolution. But we don't know when it comes."

Nikishin, 24, is a restricted free agent, so Carolina controls his rights. He had 11 goals and 33 points as a rookie and played about 18 minutes a night, which is the heart of the dispute: the Hurricanes' deep blue line leaves little room for the bigger role, and bigger raise, he's after. He asked for a change of scenery shortly after the Cup win. He spent four seasons in the KHL before coming over, but has no plans to go back.

Last week he switched agents to Paul Theofanous, who had just negotiated a two-year extension for Carolina goalie Pyotr Kochetkov. Tulsky said the new voice doesn't change the team's position.

There is a market. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that a trade to the New York Rangers nearly came together before falling apart, and Nashville and St. Louis have reportedly shown interest.

For now the Hurricanes will go without him. Tuesday's opener against the Panthers starts at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN.