Jarmo Kekalainen has made something out of nothing.
After deciding that Nikita Nikitin no longer had a future with the organization, Kekalainen allowed the Edmonton Oilers to talk with Nikitin's reps prior to the interview window for free agents opening up.
It took a few days, but the Oilers managed to get a deal done, and as a result the Blue Jackets will get a 5th round pick (137th overall) in exchange for a player who the team was going to part ways with in few days time.
With the emergence of David Savard, Ryan Murray, etc. Nikitin's role with the team diminished, and there was no longer room for him on the roster.
While the likelihood of the Blue Jackets getting anything out of this 5th round pick is not high, Kekalainen has made his name by doing great work at the draft table and the pick is better than nothing, so it's hard to see a downside.
From the Oilers' perspective, they get a defenseman in Nikitin who can step into their lineup immediately - quite possibly in a top-4 role - and help out.
It was a little pricy, as the team had to commit two years and $9 million (per Elliotte Friedman) to the 28-year-old to get him signed, but in a weak free agent market for defense that's to be expected.
Given the term is short and they only gave up a 5th round pick to get Nikitin, I think this deal worked out well for both sides.
Jackets posts
Devils posts
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: NHLToddCordell@Gmail.com