Nikkanen was a fourth-round pick, 113th overall, of the Winnipeg Jets in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The 23-year-old has never played an NHL game and has four points (1G / 3A) in 13 games with the Manitoba Moose (AHL) this season.

The Jets selected Nikkanen in the fourth-round (No.113 overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft. Nikkanen spent 2022 with the Pelicans (Liiga), where he had 12 points (7G / 5A) in 60 games. He represented Finland in the 2021 World Juniors, scoring two goals with one assist in seven games.