Andrew Ference was their so called top pairing quality filler when he came in and given the C. Look what happened to him. Fell allll the way down to 3-4.
Nikitin could be their next shiny toy to masquerade as a top pairing D and the koolaid faithful will coronate him as being better than Gio, who they have 4 or 5 of anyway.
Unless given a 6x6 or at least 5x6$, he will snub them, which he should. Belov(ed) maybe gave him info to wet their forked and thirsty tongues. I agree that whatever transpires here won't look great on them..especially it he takes same/less money elsewhere.
I think Ference can do a great job with him as a shut down pairing!
haha