The Oilers were proactive in asking for (and receiving) permission to speak to pending UFA Nikitin before July 1. Columbus granted them permission and a deal was struck. The Oil are gambling a bit here because of the two-year, $9 million contract they're giving the 28-year-old Russian defenseman. Having said that, Edmonton is desperate to add any legitimate help for their blueline, so they did well to shore that up (at least).

The Blue Jackets made a no-risk move here because they were going to let Nikitin walk on July 1 anyway. Instead, they get back the fifth-round pick they had previously sent to Edmonton in the Schultz trade. Whenever a team can reacquire a pick they traded away for a rental player, it's a good thing. Columbus has plenty of defensive depth that they won't miss either Nikitin or Schultz (should the latter walk on July 1 too, as espected).

There isn't a lot of fantasy value to discuss, here. If Nikitin pans out as the Oilers hope, he'll be a solid stay-at-home presence for their youthful fellow blueliners. He'll pick up secondary assists along the way but isn't a strong fantasy option.