Alexander Nikishin Signs Shocking Contract On Sunday.

After an extended holdout, restricted free agent defenseman Alexander Nikishin has just agreed to a stunning contract.

On Sunday, National Hockey League insider Elliotte Friedman broke the news that Nikishin had agreed to a one year deal at a cap hit of just $3 million. The deal comes after Nikishin had been the subject of rampant trade speculation throughout the summer and into the start of this regular season, but a trade never materialized.

Nikishin had very little leverage outside of hoping for a rival team to make the Hurricanes an offer they could not refuse, and the results of his lack of leverage are plain to see in this new deal. Not only is Nikishin earning a modest $3 million this season after some truly gigantic contracts were handed out this summer, but he will have to repeat the process as a restricted free agent once again next summer.

Nikishin played a significant role for the Hurricanes last season, averaging over 18 minutes a night in terms of ice time while appearing in 81 of a possible 82 games. And he produced offensively over that stretch as well with 11 goals and 22 assists for 33 total points last season.

What that role will look like now after such a long contract dispute remains to be seen.