9. Nikita Nikitin
Age: 30
Position: Defence
Shoots: Left
Last Team/Cap Hit: Edmonton – $4.5M
Nikitin’s placement in the AHL for most of last year with Bakersfield is a product of his massive cap hit and general play not correlating.
He recorded one point in 11 games with Edmonton last year and 14 in 30 while in Bakersfield. Nikitin has never been much of an offensive threat outside of 2011-2012 with Columbus, but he is a serviceable third pairing defender.
With Kris Russell getting a lot of attention for being much lesser of a defender, Nikitin may be able to get himself a small one year deal before the season opens. His previously overpaid contract and the stigma of being an Edmonton Oiler may work against him, though.
He’s definitely not a fit for Toronto given their current group of defenders and the decisions they already have to make in house.
Next: 8. Joni Ortio