I think the Canes are absolutely doing the right thing by making Nikishin borderline untouchable in a trade. It's a risk...we really don't know for sure if Nikishin will become an NHL regular. We don't know if he will ever come over to North America. We don't know if at any point in time he pulls a Adam Fox and says he will only come over if he can play for the Rangers.
All that said, I think Nikishin is fully worth the risk given the potential upside. The kid has dominated one of the best pro leagues in the world at 21 and 22 and has shown what appears to be all world skill. Big, physical, can really skate, has a great shot, can play at both ends. He would be a high first round pick in redrafts.
Hate that we have to sweat it out with this kid. Meanwhile we just have to wait and wonder about what may or may never be.