Edmonton Oilers defenseman Nikita Nikitin has played well enough in the AHL this season that trade interest in him has reportedly picked up again, which is said to have factored into the Oilers' decision to promote him to the NHL this week.
Nikitin's expiring contract and Oilers likely retaining half could make him tradeable closer to deadline. #NHL Teams have kicked tires.
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) December 10, 2015
His play of late in the AHL has also sparked some trade interest. Factored into recall. https://t.co/1SwFMtLo1e — Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 10, 2015
Nikitin, a former fifth-round pick of the St. Louis Blues, joined the Oilers prior to the 2014-15 season. In 42 games last year, Nikitin scored four goals, added six assists and was a minus-12. He struggled to keep pace during training camp with the additions new Edmonton GM Peter Chiarelli made in the offseason - Andrej Sekera, Eric Gryba - and he was, along with his $4.5 million cap hit, sent down to the AHL.
In 14 games with the Bakersfield Condors, Nikitin leads the defense in scoring with one goal and eight assists. He was already considered a top trade candidate prior to the season thanks to the ascension of Darnell Nurse and the additions of Sekera and Gryba, but his play of late with Bakersfield seems to have upped that interest considerably.
The Oilers were said to be actively attempting to move Nikitin at the outset of the league year and there was even some talk that the Bruins or the Colorado Avalanche were interested.
With Mark Fayne placed on waivers, it became the perfect opportunity for Chiarelli to bring back Nikitin and hope that he continues his strong play and, in turn, entices another NHL team to offer a draft pick to take him and some portion of his salary off Edmonton's hands.
