Confirmed with Link: Nikitin's rights traded to EDM for 2014 5th round pick, Nikitin signs wiith EDM

Jackets16

Registered User
Jan 7, 2005
12,018
619
My guess is they were willing to give him more money to only have him signed for 2 years. Money isn't a huge deal, if you have the space, when the length is short.
 

OF17

Registered User
Dec 2, 2007
4,366
0
en France
Can you guys give me a run-down on Nikitin's game please? Like most Oilers fans, I'm excited to get him. How is he defensively, offensively? How is he in the corners? Anything you can think of will be much appreciated.
 

McDoused

Registered User
Feb 5, 2007
17,228
15,918
Katy <3
My guess is they were willing to give him more money to only have him signed for 2 years. Money isn't a huge deal, if you have the space, when the length is short.

Oilers fan here. I'm glad you understand our situation. It still sucks to see some fans laughing at our organization though :(
 

Fro

Cheatin on CBJ w TBL
Mar 11, 2009
25,315
4,993
The Beach, FL
Nikitin in simple snapshot - decent shot, decent defensively, will have some gaffs, will may your heart race, will make you excited, will crush them with a gaff...
 

pete goegan

HFBoards Sponsor
Sponsor
Jun 6, 2006
13,019
350
Washington, DC
Can you guys give me a run-down on Nikitin's game please? Like most Oilers fans, I'm excited to get him. How is he defensively, offensively? How is he in the corners? Anything you can think of will be much appreciated.

Niki is a good, solid, second/third pair defenseman. He's big, but not overly physical, sound positionally, and has a decent first pass. Not particularly adept at skating the puck out, but not awful, either. He has a good shot from the point, though he often seemed a bit reluctant to fire it. On the whole, he played well here, certainly better than we expected from what he had shown in St. Louis. All the talk about his English language skills (or lack, thereof) have been debunked by numerous CBJ fans who have spoken to him at various events. Nor does he need to play with a Russian partner, anymore, if he ever really did!

On the whole, I think you made a nice pickup - maybe a bit more money than many expected, but a shorter term, as well. He'll help the Oilers and the CBJ can use his spot and money for their young and rapidly developing defensive prospects.
 

DarkandStormy

Registered User
Apr 29, 2014
7,236
3,432
614
I think that "Doesn't speak english" thing was completely false. We've had poster's who've spoken to him.

He was involved in some pre-Olympics interviews and promos with the team. He did famously (or infamously?) state he wasn't interested in learning English not too long ago though.
 

DarkandStormy

Registered User
Apr 29, 2014
7,236
3,432
614
I think the trade makes sense for both sides. Nikitin didn't really fit into the Jackets' future plan, and certainly not at that money. He was going to walk anyway. Oilers lock up a pretty solid 4/5 D, maybe a bit pricey but that happens when you try to get someone before the free agency frenzy hits. At only two years, they're not locked in for too long if it doesn't work out.

I would assume this opens up a spot for Erixon/Prout/Goloubef (please be Erixon) - this is of course assuming Savard is brought back, which would lock up 5 of the starting spots on the blue line. All is quiet on Schultz, but I doubt we bring him back unless he takes a significant pay cut.
 

EspenK

Registered User
Sep 25, 2011
15,839
4,445
as pointed out to me...Niki6 makes more money than Jack Johnson...

Makes you wonder if guys like Joey, etc aren't better taking shorter terms so they can reap the benes of a rising cap 2 yrs down the road.
 

Samkow

Now do Classical Gas
Jul 4, 2002
16,354
488
Detroit
Can you guys give me a run-down on Nikitin's game please? Like most Oilers fans, I'm excited to get him. How is he defensively, offensively? How is he in the corners? Anything you can think of will be much appreciated.

An important thing to note is that what Bozwell said early in this thread is almost offensively incorrect. We have a damn good defense. Niktin isn't better than Johnson/Tyutin/Wisniewski. Savard and Murray had phenominal seasons, are younger and cheaper, and we needed to open up a spot for them. Letting Nikitin go came down to:

1. What he was going to get given previous UFA Contracts
2. We needed to open up more minutes for Murray and Savard
3. The people below him (Prout, Erixon, and Goloubef) are all waiver eligible.

Given that, this isn't us "letting him go because he wasn't good enough", more us realizing we needed to open up room for younger guys and a 4 million dollar 6th defenseman wasn't a good idea.

He's a classic defensive defensemen, so lots of blocked shots, broken up passes but not a lot to bring offensively. Not a huge hitter but plays a physical game. He's a good complimentary piece but that being said, you're not going to want to pair him with some purely offensive defenseman. As a 4th/5th guy, he'll be really good. But I wouldn't count on him for anything more than 2nd pairing minutes.

And that "won't learn english" thing is total baloney.
 

Xoggz22

Registered User
Mar 4, 2002
7,928
3,473
Columbus, Ohio
Can you guys give me a run-down on Nikitin's game please? Like most Oilers fans, I'm excited to get him. How is he defensively, offensively? How is he in the corners? Anything you can think of will be much appreciated.

Nikitin was a bit of an ignigma (sort of). He has size but doesn't use it to knock people off the puck. He's got pretty good composure with the puck but isn't adept at lugging up it the ice. He won't WOW you with his skill but he's capable of moving the puck quickly. I think his hockey sense is good. Skates fairly well for a big man but isn't quick. Has a big shot with good leverage due to height but doesn't use it often enough and I would have liked to see him hit the net more often.

He's a good player but as you can see from others $4.5MM is a lot to pay for what we think you are getting. He does have some potential in the offensive end that seemed to have disappeared the last 2 years. Maybe with the young players in Edmonton and their open style he can put up more points. He'll play on the PK for sure and can play on a 2nd PP unit. He's a solid 2-way player but won't wow you with anything. With him luck and hopefully he helps stabilize your 2nd pair. Don't expect more than that.
 

blahblah

Registered User
Nov 24, 2005
21,327
972
Someone was going to give him 4+ million. I said this two years ago. Don't know why anyone is shocked by this.

This is part of the reason we didn't want to re-sign him.

He'll do fine for Edmonton.
 

Viqsi

"that chick from Ohio"
Oct 5, 2007
55,721
35,336
40N 83W (approx)
Essentially, it ends up Nikitin for a month or two of Nick Schultz. I don't have problem with that, especially not at $4.5 mil! Niki6 was good here, overall, and I wish him well in Edmonton.

Not really even that, as we had Nikitin and Schultz at the same time. Two months of Schultz (who the Oilers evidently weren't planning on keeping) for privileged bargaining with Nikitin once we planned on giving him up anyways.

In essence, we paid them Tuesday for a hamburger today.
 

Cyclones Rock

Registered User
Jun 12, 2008
10,908
7,066
There were games over the past 3 seasons which I've been watching the CBJ that I thought Nikitin was the best dman on the ice for the team. Not so much this past season, but I thought that he played very well at times. The CBJ are allowing him to go to give more PT to youth, not because Nikitin can't get the job done.

A good move by Edmonton. The Oilers-according to everything I've read-need to shore up their defense. Nikitin will help in that process and the term of the deal is smart for the team.
 

pete goegan

HFBoards Sponsor
Sponsor
Jun 6, 2006
13,019
350
Washington, DC
Not really even that, as we had Nikitin and Schultz at the same time. Two months of Schultz (who the Oilers evidently weren't planning on keeping) for privileged bargaining with Nikitin once we planned on giving him up anyways.

In essence, we paid them Tuesday for a hamburger today.

Good point.

Oh, and I don't ever want to read a thread where you and IHZ are taking the same side of the argument!
 

Mayor Bee

Registered User
Dec 29, 2008
18,087
535
Someone was going to give him 4+ million. I said this two years ago. Don't know why anyone is shocked by this.

This is part of the reason we didn't want to re-sign him.

He'll do fine for Edmonton.

Agreed; it's where the market has been for years, give or take $500K at any point for any of a number of variables.
 

blahblah

Registered User
Nov 24, 2005
21,327
972
I wish Nikitin well. I actually respect him enough to prefer that he's in the East. Not that I think he's a game changer by any stretch, but he's a pretty decent player.
 

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad