Report: Blues Sign Nikitin
Per release from the St. Louis Blues Thursday June 9th, Defensemen Nikita Nikitin has agreed to a one year contract extension.
MSM reports indicate a $600,000k, one way deal.
In his first season in the NHL the Omsk, Russia native appeared in 63 games total. Of which 41 were in St. Louis and 22 were with the Blues AFL affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen. Between the two clubs Niktin totaled 4 goals and 23 points.
The safe and steady defneder, affectionately known to fans as “N64″, is yet another late round draft pick to forge a path to the NHL. Niktin was selected 136th overall (5th round) in the 2004 NHL entry draft.
BNZ POV
A third pairing defensemen comes over from Europe, earns success in the Peoria, carves a niche for himself in St. Louis and earns a one way contract in the off season.
Scenario sound familiar?
Apparently Nikita Nikitin learned from Jonas Junland’s mistake. Don’t let a contract that provides an open door to go waste. Throw your body at it like a forechecking forward in to the glass.
One could argue the Blues learned as well. If a European born player makes the venture across the Atlantic and shows promise, make a spot for him to grow. Languishing in the North American Bus Tour known as the AHL is not for all. That little bit of extra seasoning may lead to overcooking.
It’s clear that the organization has faith that N64 will be Roman Polak v2.0. While he did struggle in his first call up this past season, after a measured amount of initial success, he showed solid growth in his subsequent recalls. Displaying an ability to contribute on special teams and learn from mistakes made at even strength.
With the contract a one way deal tinfoil hats are going to be as in fashion as blue kool-aid.
Niktin brings the total of defensemen under one way contract to five. Alex Pietrangelo, Barrett Jackman, Carlo Colaiacovo and Polak being the other four. Putting the decision making focus on Kevin Shattenkirk and Ian Cole. Both are still under their Entry Level Contract (ELC) and can move back and forth between Peoria and St. Louis without waivers.
Shattenkirk by virtue of his performance in Colorado, trade to St. Louis and play following the deal seems to have solidified the six the everyday spot. Is there a good case to make Cole number seven?
He is certainly ready for NHL minutes, but sitting in the press box more often than not would be a massive detriment to his development. Cole has the ability to go to the minors and play. This is not a Pietrangelo situation where he was forced to go back to Juniors. Cole is better suited to be the eight man on the chart. Leading the Rivermen.
Is there an alternative?
Cole is a prized prospect, but apparently not an untouchable one.
Doug Armstrong knows the assets he has under contract, where they should be playing and what their value is. If he wanted to create a three way battle at training camp for two spots, as he did last camp, Nikitin could have seen only two way offers. Personnel flexibility is a great concept, but so is converting areas of strength in to areas of need.
I’ve postulated for years that the Blues were thinking far, far ahead when they drafted so many defensemen. Mobile, two way defensemen are a highly valued commodity in the post lockout NHL. The Blues drafted many of those types. Knowing that one day they could cash in for high return.
It’s been done twice already. Moving Erik Johnson for Chris Stewart and Shattenkirk and David Rundblad for the draft pick which turned in to Vladimir Tarasenko.
Is number three on the horizon?
On prevailing theory is that Shattenkirk, Cole and Nikitin presence make Colaiacovo expendable. All three can fill that 3rd pairing at even strength / second power play unit role much cheaper than Cola. “The Blues are on a tight, small budget”. A team looking for an edge on the power play with a little cap room may gamble on number 28 for one season.
Assuming the Blues value experience at this point, and I think they certainly do based on Army’s recent comments, Colaiacovo isn’t the one to be moved. Someone with higher trade and lower cap hit (remember the Blues will have to hit an increased cap floor) value is.
At this point, Cole fits the bill.
Go ahead, put it on and pour a cup.
