Rangers nearly complete trade for Alexander Nikishin with Hurricanes

The New York Rangers were on the verge of acquiring defenseman Alexander Nikishin from the Carolina Hurricanes but could not finalize a contract agreement. The talks, which took place in June, involved a deal that would have seen the Rangers trade their fifth overall draft pick. Nikishin is currently a holdout, not participating in the Hurricanes' season opener against the Florida Panthers. New York’s offseason focus has been on youth, and Nikishin, a 24-year-old, had been regarded as a potential centerpiece of that strategy. Following the failed negotiations, the Rangers drafted Alberts Smits and pursued other defense signings to bolster their roster.

• 4:58 PMYahoo Sports — “They had a deal”: NHL insider says Rangers nearly acquired prized defender