I think it makes a lot of sense for the Hurricanes to package both Nikishin and Kotkaniemi in a deal together to ship to the Kings for a lofty return that could include multiple key players and prospects, along with valuable future draft capital.
In this hypothetical trade deal, we have the Kings sending off the big veteran defenseman Joel Edmundson to make the salary cap situation work on the two rosters, along with young center Alex Turcotte, goalie prospect Hampton Slukynsky, and the 2027 first-round draft pick.
The Kings taking on Kotkaniemi's contract would increase some of the salary cap risk and the burden on the roster lineup, but it could lower the overall cost for Los Angeles to acquire Nikishin by giving the Hurricanes more cap flexibility.
Kotkaniemi also adds depth in the middle of the roster lineup for the Kings.
What could make this hypothetical trade package easier to stomach for the Kings than the first return on this list this offseason would be not having to give up the top goalie prospect George in a trade deal with the Hurricanes, and only giving up one future draft pick in the process.
Turcotte could hypothetically give the Hurricanes another former first-round talent at the center position who could benefit from a change of scenery this offseason. That could be fitting since the Hurricanes do have a history of acquiring and developing players whose value dipped elsewhere.
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