[Signing] Oilers sign Nikita Nikitin (2yrs, $4.5mil AAV). Blue Jackets get 5th round pick.

[Roof-Daddy]

I wonder if they've had Paul Coffey call him yet.

Friggin no good losers.

[Azhouse]

Originally Posted by puckedoff

Nikitin is not very good. He had a good year when he first came up but at this point he is looking like a bit of a project to play in the NHL as a regular.

Top 2 on the Coilers you say?

[Malkin]

If they expect him to be anything more than a 5-6 D they will be in for a shocker.

[Scoreface]

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

[Ashasx]

Ference isn't even 3-4 at this point. He's a bottom pairing defenceman.

[irrevocable]

Originally Posted by Scoreface

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.

Don't blame Ference, how the hell can we blame him? He got the chance to make mad money from that clown college. I'd do the same. I hope those coilers suffer for the next 15 years. I hate them.

[Scoreface]

Hey, I'm not the one who clowned him as a top pairing D. I realize what he was when they acquired him and still is today.

I just find it humorous that they have the same hope, if not more that Nikitin can be 'that guy.' Signed or not.

[RyZ]

Originally Posted by amazing_oilers

Not a chance this doesn't get done. Wonder what number he will wear in Edmonton for the next 4 years?

-24 is my guess

[Scoreface]

No Good'in above those numbers.

Would fit in a thread somewhere...

[T@T]

Originally Posted by irrevocable

Don't blame Ference, how the hell can we blame him? He got the chance to make mad money from that clown college. I'd do the same. I hope those coilers suffer for the next 15 years. I hate them.

Love it!
I was getting worried everyone was being trapped into feeling sorry for them..#### em.

[FlatLandFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by RyZ

-24 is my guess

That made me literally lol , many thanks

[Lanny'sDaMan]

So is it safe to assume, that since we heard nothing about a signing that the window is closed and the Grease have been snubbed yet again?

[Azhouse]

Originally Posted by Lanny'sDaMan

So is it safe to assume, that since we heard nothing about a signing that the window is closed and the Grease have been snubbed yet again?

We need to know this.

[MissTeeks]

Columbus guy this morning:

“@Aportzline: RT @thrillsuril: @Aportzline Any news on Oilers and Nikitin front? / Nothing as of late last night. Today is a big day.”

[sureLoss]

Aaron Portzline @Aportzline
Until/unless another #NHL teams calls for #CBJ D Nikita Nikitin's rights, no reason why CBJ would cut off talk b/w #Oilers and Nikitin.

Aaron Portzline @Aportzline
Clearly Nikitin hasn't dismissed the idea of signing w #Oilers. So, longer this goes, perhaps more likely a deal is forged.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Aaron Portzline @Aportzline
Until/unless another #NHL teams calls for #CBJ D Nikita Nikitin's rights, no reason why CBJ would cut off talk b/w #Oilers and Nikitin.

Aaron Portzline @Aportzline
Clearly Nikitin hasn't dismissed the idea of signing w #Oilers. So, longer this goes, perhaps more likely a deal is forged.

Don't buy the last one at all.
The longer it goes on, the less likely imo

[Lanny'sDaMan]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Aaron Portzline @Aportzline
Until/unless another #NHL teams calls for #CBJ D Nikita Nikitin's rights, no reason why CBJ would cut off talk b/w #Oilers and Nikitin.

Aaron Portzline @Aportzline
Clearly Nikitin hasn't dismissed the idea of signing w #Oilers. So, longer this goes, perhaps more likely a deal is forged.

But, sureloss you posted this too:

Originally Posted by sureLoss

NHL sources told The Dispatch that multiple teams have contacted the Blue Jackets about Nikitin, and the 48-hour window with the Oilers does not preclude the Blue Jackets from granting another club permission.

So shouldn't that mean Edmonton is SOL if no deal is made?

[sureLoss]

^ Unless another team comes along asking for exclusive rights, there is no reason Columbus should cut Edmonton off at the end of the 48 hours as long as the understanding that Edmonton will still give up the 5th round pick if they can sign him.

So yes the original deal was for 48 hours, but it looks like no other teams are willing to pony up anything to talk to Nikitin, so why wouldn't Columbus keep letting Edmonton talk to him?

[Burner]

i got to think that Bettman isnt liking this procedure. Giving permission to talk and then making a deal after the fact. Kind of gets around the idea that there is a free agent deadline. I think they should make them do the deal and then let them talk.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Burner

i got to think that Bettman isnt liking this procedure. Giving permission to talk and then making a deal after the fact. Kind of gets around the idea that there is a free agent deadline. I think they should make them do the deal and then let them talk.

I dont think Bettman would give a rat's ass, the PA on the other hand, they may not like it because it reduces the likelihood of a bidding war to drive up player salaries.