The Columbus Blue Jackets made it clear they were not going to re-sign Unrestricted Costless Agent D-man Nikita Nikitin. So what does GM Jarmo do? He gives the Oilers exclusive negotiating rights to the defenseman.
What does that mean? This means that the Blue Jackets gave the Oilers first crack at signing him. In return, the CBJ would get a 5th round pick if the Oilers were able to sign him.
Today (Wednesday), the deal was completed. The Oilers signed Nikitin to a 2 year deal worth a tad over 9 million dollars, a deal that has sent CBJ fans into a frenzy. Mainly because no one thought he was worth that much, The Oilers obviously did.
The Blue Jackets got back a 5th round pick in return, the same pick that CBJ sent to the Oilers last season for D-man Nick Schultz. Somehow, Jarmo was able to swindle a pick for an unrestricted costless agent.
The CBJ could have eight picks in this years draft, depending on Anaheim's decision with pick No. 38. They have until the start of the draft to keep it or give it to the CBJ, this as a part of a past trade agreement between the teams.
So far, so good in this year's costless agency period for the Jackets.