Is signing Nikitin to a long term deal the way to go?

When news broke of the Edmonton Oilers obtaining the rights of Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman Nikita Nikitin the two words that immediately came to mind were “how long”. Clearly the Oilers have interest in signing the player but at what cost? After all, we are talking about a third pairing guy who would likely be asked to play top four minutes along Dallas Eakins’ blueline in 2014-15.

Drafting Aaron Ekblad

There is no question that the Edmonton Oilers greatest area of organizational need is at centre ice. 
Outside of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and the polarizing figure that has become Sam Gagner, the Oilers cupboards are completely bare when it comes to options down the middle of the rink. 

Upgrading the Blueline

With the both the NHL Entry Draft and Unrestricted Free Agency just around the corner, Edmonton Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish will have some very tough decisions to make over the next couple of weeks. He will undoubtedly be trying his very best to improve this club for the upcoming 2014-15 season and you can bet his primary focus will be on the Oilers blueline.