Nikita Nikitin – The Showcase

The Edmonton Oilers learned on Wednesday that Eric Gryba would miss at least a month with an injury he suffered in Tuesday’s loss to the Anaheim Ducks. To the surprise of no one, Gryba was shifted to the IR last night, opening a roster spot for a recall from Bakersfield. To the surprise of many, myself included, that recall was defender Nikita Nikitin.

The veteran had a stint in Edmonton back in December that started with a solid outing in Boston against the Bruins, but that quickly went sour. Nikitin got into seven games with the Oil and posted only an assist before being sent back to the AHL on New Year’s Eve. It was a disastrous stint and it looked like the end of his NHL career.

In the AHL this season, Nikitin has played in 27 games and posted 1-13-14 with the Condors. According to those covering the team, and even from coach Gerry Fleming back in December right before his first recall, Nikitin has been a good soldier in the AHL and has been a solid leader for Edmonton’s young defenders. He’s also played well at the AHL level, but that should be expected from a veteran making $4.5 million per season.

Why Nikitin?:

With the trade deadline just about ten days away, the Oilers are now in showcase mode, trying to pump up their veteran assets to send them out the door. Teddy Purcell is the main forward, while Justin Schultz is the most likely defender to get moved. Nikitin, before last night, was a complete after thought when it came to the deadline.

Remember, however, that Bob McKenzie mentioned back in October that the Oilers were getting some interest in the player, and the Colorado Avalanche were a rumored suitor. The Avalanche are still very much alive for the postseason and will certainly be looking for defensive depth on February 29th.

If this was based on merit, then Jordan Oesterle would have been recalled on Wednesday night. If this was about development, then Griffin Reinhart would have been the man. Instead, Edmonton went with a man who has no future with this organization past April, a player who simply is not in their plans.

There are two possible explanations for this. One is that Edmonton is bringing him up to simply sit in the press box while Adam Clendening draws into the lineup, while the other is the Oilers are looking to pump up Nikitin’s value prior to the deadline.

I wouldn’t expect much of a return, and Edmonton would have to keep salary, but it would surely be interesting to see if Peter Chiarelli can offload Craig MacTavish’s biggest mistake for some sort of asset at the deadline.

A new story line has emerged for the Oilers at deadline time. Another turn in this wild roller-coaster also known as the 2015-16 NHL season.