Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - [Signing] Oilers sign Nikita Nikitin (2yrs, $4.5mil AAV). Blue Jackets get 5th round pick.

Enoch Root · 06-25-2014, 10:10 AM

Essentially it is a N Schultz for Nikitin trade.

As has been said, the short term mitigates some of the risk. Overpayment probably, but $4.5m for a couple years isn't going to be a burden.

Bottom line for the Oilers is that they need some NHL defensemen and they just acquired one, albeit a 5/6, borderline #4 guy.

For me though, this comes down to the role they'll give him. If he is sheltered as a 5/6 guy - great. But that is unlikely. More likely that he will be playing top 4 minutes and facing a lot of top competition.

I suspect he will be in way over his head and his fate will echo that of so many former Oilers; having no chance to succeed in the role given, fans will conclude he sucks and will run him out of town.

06-25-2014, 10:10 AM	#179
Enoch Root Franchise Player Join Date: May 2012 Exp:	Essentially it is a N Schultz for Nikitin trade. As has been said, the short term mitigates some of the risk. Overpayment probably, but $4.5m for a couple years isn't going to be a burden. Bottom line for the Oilers is that they need some NHL defensemen and they just acquired one, albeit a 5/6, borderline #4 guy. For me though, this comes down to the role they'll give him. If he is sheltered as a 5/6 guy - great. But that is unlikely. More likely that he will be playing top 4 minutes and facing a lot of top competition. I suspect he will be in way over his head and his fate will echo that of so many former Oilers; having no chance to succeed in the role given, fans will conclude he sucks and will run him out of town.