Nikita Nikitin Appreciation Thread

[ViD]

In the beginning of the season when he started fairly slow, most people wanted to ship him away and he even got scratched for several games, but now he's transformed into one of the most reliable defensemen in the team.

Not only that he leads the team in +/-, he's 4th amongst CBJ dmen in blocked shots and that's considering the fact that he's 10th in TOI plus he missed about 10 games this season.

Another important thing is that he's a fairly disciplined player, he is 2nd to Ryan Murray with the least PIM amongst dmen.

Click to read more...

 

[Robert]

You scared me.... reading your OP I thought he was traded or died....

He has been good over the years... are there better out there? Without a doubt...

A good average NHL defenseamn...

 

[blahblah]

For doing his job? No thanks. I appreciate him no more or less than any other player. I gave him and Savard some props in another thread.

I don't understand the obsession with appreciation threads for people that will never read it.

High plus/minus stats for a role player isn't exactly unusual. I'm still not even sure he'll be here next year.

 

[S1N4TR4]

Nikita has played very well after starting the year off very not-so-well.... the result of doing very well? higher trade value.

 

[major major]

It's not just plus minus. Nikitin is a beast (I feel more secure with him playing shutdown than Tyutin or JJ) and he's one of our best point producers. Per minute 5 on 5 he's second to Wiz on the defence in scoring.

 

[ViD]

It's not just plus minus. Nikitin is a beast (I feel more secure with him playing shutdown than Tyutin or JJ) and he's one of our best point producers. Per minute 5 on 5 he's second to Wiz on the defence in scoring.

interesting stats indeed

 

[NotWendell]

I'll show my appreciation by not bashing him unfairly when he screws up. It's gonna happen from time to time for everyone.

 

[Robert]

I'll show my appreciation by not bashing him unfairly when he screws up. It's gonna happen from time to time for everyone.

I need to learn how to bash and not bash at the same time as you do.... I luv ya Lee but being so uncommitted (neutral) about everything reeks of wanting to be liked on HF CBJ board instead of speaking what is in your heart….

Gotta stop wanting to be liked and focus more on the truth....

 

[NotWendell]

I need to learn how to bash and not bash at the same time as you do.... I luv ya Lee but being so uncommitted (neutral) about everything reeks of wanting to be liked on HF CBJ board instead of speaking what is in your heart….

Gotta stop wanting to be liked and focus more on the truth....

Nah, I think Nik is a good (but not great) player who catches more hell than he deserves.

 

[EspenK]

So to change the tenor of this thread a bit, what do you think of his chances of him being here next year? I think there is a pretty good chance that Jarmo shows his appreciation and re-signs him if the price is right.

 

[I am not exposed]

So do you reckon he is going to be resigned, or is he going to hit the free market?

And if he is re-signed, how much would it be for?

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

So do you reckon he is going to be resigned, or is he going to hit the free market?

And if he is re-signed, how much would it be for?

based upon overall defensive depth and the fact he was beign scratched during the playoffs, I say he walks. Goloubef and/or Erixon need space in the NHL at some point.

 

[Sore Loser]

based upon overall defensive depth and the fact he was beign scratched during the playoffs, I say he walks. Goloubef and/or Erixon need space in the NHL at some point.

He played in 5 of the playoff games ... I thought he was injured for the 6th?

At any rate, I think we keep one of Nikitin or Schultz. I don't see us bringing both back.

 

[jackets4life]

At any rate, I think we keep one of Nikitin or Schultz. I don't see us bringing both back.

I think it will be Schultz, not only a cheaper player but a better player in my opinion.

 

[major major]

The scratches mean he's gone. There are teams where he would fit in as a second pair guy who gets powerplay time. Someone will give him 4x4.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

He played in 5 of the playoff games ... I thought he was injured for the 6th?

At any rate, I think we keep one of Nikitin or Schultz. I don't see us bringing both back.

Maybe I was wrong about that but he did have some regular season scratches down the stretch too I think. Regardless he's due for money the CBJ shouldn't pay with as much D depth as the team has. Someone has to go.

 

[Sore Loser]

Maybe I was wrong about that but he did have some regular season scratches down the stretch too I think. Regardless he's due for money the CBJ shouldn't pay with as much D depth as the team has. Someone has to go.

I can't disagree.

 

[Viqsi]

The scratches mean he's gone. There are teams where he would fit in as a second pair guy who gets powerplay time. Someone will give him 4x4.

This, only I half-expect some desperate team will give him even more than that.

 

[Mayor Bee]

This, only I half-expect some desperate team will give him even more than that.

I do as well. I'd expect whoever misses out on Niskanen will swing for the fences with Nikitin.

That's why, if I were GM, I'd be looking to trade his rights between now and the draft if the team has decided that they won't attempt to or can't re-sign him.

 

[blahblah]

This, only I half-expect some desperate team will give him even more than that.

Yeah, I wouldn't be shocked to see him upwards of 4.5 million per on a long term deal.

 

[Crede777]

It's tough - I really like Nikitin and think he deserves a big payday, but I obviously don't want Columbus to overpay him. Guess I'm hoping for either a hometown discount or for him to go and make bank in the Western Conference.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

I like Nikitin and he was a great pickup, but his play has kinda dwindled and is too up and down for me. Hope he gets a nice penny from a WC team.

 

[cslebn]

It's tough - I really like Nikitin and think he deserves a big payday, but I obviously don't want Columbus to overpay him. Guess I'm hoping for either a hometown discount or for him to go and make bank in the Western Conference.

I think the other problem is the glut of D men. I like Nikitin and want him on the team but with 8 other guys, most of whom will come considerably cheaper I'm starting to think he'll just get edged out - especially with what appears to be the emergence of Savard.

Something has to give and this summer and next is when it will happen.

 

[Crede777]

I think the other problem is the glut of D men. I like Nikitin and want him on the team but with 8 other guys, most of whom will come considerably cheaper I'm starting to think he'll just get edged out - especially with what appears to be the emergence of Savard.

Something has to give and this summer and next is when it will happen.

That's true. I was kind of thinking that our glut of defensemen meant we could afford to let Nikitin go, but I think you're right in that someone like Erixon or Goloubef could also be a factor in pushing him out.

 

[cslebn]

That's true. I was kind of thinking that our glut of defensemen meant we could afford to let Nikitin go, but I think you're right in that someone like Erixon or Goloubef could also be a factor in pushing him out.

Really it's a good problem to have but man is it a ***** to try to predict the future in offseason threads without pissing someone off.