There are reports that say that Nikishin is looking for 8 million plus annually on his next contract such as this one here 

Carolina is has shown to be a very fiscally responsible with very few if any hiccups along the way when it comes to contracts. Apart from the Kotkeniemi contract I would say none. The Hurricanes are also known to be very analytics driven team and there some red flags in that regard that I am quite sure they are aware of. Nikishin did put be good numbers on the surface with 33 points in 81 games, however that came with very weak deployment against other teams' weaker lines. It is amazing to me how Brind'Amour is able to give players significant minutes and keep their matchups against top lines down, but he does it. With those minutes Nichushkin obviously produced offence but defensively there was much left to be desired. For a team as committed to defense as Carolina is I am not sure committing 8 million long term would be up their alley. A short-term deal or a trade my be the best option. There has been plenty of reports that Nikishin is on the market so where might he go?

The Kings defense after Doughty, Anderson and Clarke is pretty thin and aging quickly. I would have to think that they would have interest in Nikishin but what would they be able to offer to get him. L.A. is not swimming in prospects really but one that may be of interest to Carolina is Henry Brzustewicz who is an RD that crushed the A.H.L offensively last year. Sort of a roving type D man I would say there is still more overall refinement to be done in his game but he is an RD and has made big jumps in his development. Trevor Moore has a Hurricane type player profile to him and might be someone that would be of interest as well. Add a 1st round pick next year and that should be a pretty decent package.

St. Louis seams to be the most mentioned destination for the Blues from sources and insiders with D prospect Theo Lindstein bring the most often projected return for Carolina. Lindstein has been mentioned as a Jonas Brodin type of player by some within the Blues organization. Lindstein is limited offensively but did get some time with the big club last year and did not look out of place with advantageous deployment. Carolina may push for someone like Jake Neighbours in return who matches their style fairly well but I imagine they would be met with a fair bit of resistance from the Blues as Neighbours is an integral part of the Blues offence. I would be more inclined to think someone like Otto Stenberg, who played 31 games last year with the Blues and looked to be progressing well, would be more palatable for the Blues to give up in a deal with possibly a 1st round pick next year, although St. Louis has shown to value 1st round picks more than most teams. Seldom are they willing to part with them. 

Nashville is a team that was thrown out there just recently and that I talked about with Jonathan Davis on a show we are part of called "The Late Shift" with Dre Martinez as well, The Predators just traded Luke Evangelista which seemed very much like a rebuild type of move. When new G.M. Chris MacFarland was asked about the trade he mentioned that they had many forward prospects that needed ice time and would us the assets that they received for Evangelist for other positions. Well, defense is certainly another position. What I like about the Preds being a good trade partner here is that they could offer up a more veteran NHL tested RD like Nic Perbix. Perbix is 28 years old with 299 games of NHL experience and has showed in Nashville that he can hang with minutes against top lines not to bad but would probably be best suited in a 3D role. Nic would be a great fit beside Gostisbehere on the third pair for Carolina who would be more inclined to be looking for an NHL ready defenseman as they attempt to defend their cup winning season from last year. Nashville could add the first they got from New Jersey and some very intriguing prospects like Jaakim Kemmel who is more on the NHL ready side and got some time in the NHL last ear, Aiden Fink who is a former 7th round pick that crushed with over a point a game for Penn State last year and added 10 points in 6 games with a late look in the A.H.L. . There is also Ryan Ufko and Trevor Molendyk on D that have showed well in their development so far.

In my opinion Nashville would seem like the most likely of the three here to be the most motivated and have the best offer to Carolina for the services of Nikishin if he in fact does become available. If Nikishin holds his stance on 8 million over 8 years, there is a reaally good chance he will move on I believe.