Welcome to the Hotstove! As always, I'm your host, Travis Yost.
A couple of interesting signings went down late Wednesday morning -- first, Edmonton inking defenseman Nikita Nikitin to a two-year, $9MM contract, followed by Los Angeles signing winger Marian Gaborik to a seven-year, $34.3MM deal.
I'm always fascinated by the summer period of player signings, especially because there are such large disparities in what a variety of players are paid out.
Nikita Nikitin's an intriguing signing by Edmonton. Here's a player that's not really been thrust into a top-four role for much of his playing career, but GM Craig MacTavish has paid him accordingly. I think there's some merit to the argument that you have to take chances like this when your blue-line and system grade out fairly low on the talent scale, but I'm not sure Nikita Nikitin's really provided the evidence that suggests he's a guy that can log tougher minutes and not get beaten up.
TSN's Scott Cullen had this to say about the signing:
What this would seem to indicate is that Nikitin, who has good size, can skate and handle the puck a bit, isn't necessarily one to carry the play. He could be a useful complementary player and presumably Oilers Senior VP of Hockey Operations Scott Howson (who acquired Nikitin as GM in Columbus) is a fan, but there is risk in bringing in a player with falling possession numbers to a team that already ranked 28th in Fenwick Close (unblocked shot attempts during 5-on-5, score within one goal in first two periods and tied in third period).
Personally, I don't hate the gamble, but I think they're going to be disappointed with his performance relative to his payout.
On the other hand, I really like LA's move to get Marian Gaborik locked up. To sign the elite winger, they conceded on term, giving the 32-year old a seven-year deal. However, they did manage to bring his AAV under $5MM, which is absolutely massive for a team that's likely going to be a Cup contender for the foreseeable future.
I think there's a balance general managers have to consider when they're at the poles of NHL competition. Take the Kings, for example. A seven-year deal -- even for a proven first-line talent -- is normally considered poisonous for a 30+ year old with injury concerns. But, this is an instance where LA is buying bad years on the back-end to remain a Stanley Cup contender for the short-term.
The < $5MM AAV gives LA some cap luxury, and if buying unsavory years down the line results in winning another Stanley Cup, you'd have to imagine that the trade's worth it to LA's bottom-line.
So, the questions: Do you like the Nikita Nikitin signing? Do you like the Marian Gaborik signing?