[Report] Edmonton signs Nikitin

[sharnhayre]

Overpayment.. Good luck in Deadmonton

[TOMapleLaughs]

Another 'subsidize the south' signing imho.

No way does an American team sign a 28yr old guy with 206gp and hardly any upside to show going further to this deal.

However, he's still better than most of Edm's d-men. So they be better.

[elvis15]

Nikitin isn't a giant liability in his own zone, and it's a short term contract.

5 less minutes a game for Nikitin, 30 less hits, 60 less blocks, 15 less takeaways, significantly less QoC and Corsi all while having very similar offensive zone start rates (and 3 more games played). But you won't read this or care because of your blind hate for Edler.

Still, Nikitin's contract even at only 2 years is worse than Edler's.

[Ryan Strome]

5 less minutes a game for Nikitin, 30 less hits, 60 less blocks, 15 less takeaways, significantly less QoC and Corsi all while having very similar offensive zone start rates (and 3 more games played). But you won't read this or care because of your blind hate for Edler.

Still, Nikitin's contract even at only 2 years is worse than Edler's.

I'm not sure anyone likes this deal.

[Plum]

Terrible for Edmonton but great for defencemans who are testing FA. Stralman, Niskanen, Boyle, Piktanen, Mezsaros, Robidas are all going to get some big $$ this offseason, if Nikitin gets 4.5 then those guys should be getting 5.5+.

That's great for us, these signings we have on defence will really give us some leverage in future years with UFAs after teams spend 5.5+ million for the same #3-4 defencemans that we have for 4.5-5 million.