The Edmonton Oilers were able to come to a deal with potential free agent defenseman Nikita Nikitin and now their trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets is official.
The Oilers send a fifth-round pick in the 2014 draft to the Jackets for the 28-year old Russian blue liner. Elliotte Friedman of CBC reports his new contract is a two-year deal worth $9 million. It’s a bit much on money and a $4.5 million cap hit won’t look so hot on the books, but at two years it’s not a killer deal by any means.
The two sides worked out the awkward deal based upon the Oilers getting a new contract set with Nikitin. Now with that in place, the two sides signed off.
Nikitin spent the past two and a half seasons in Columbus after being acquired in a deal with the St. Louis Blues in 2011. In 66 games last season, he had two goals and 15 points. Known more for his physical play than his ability to score, he’s the type of defenseman the Oilers could use.