COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Blue Jackets have traded defenceman Nikita Nikitin (nih-KEE'-tuh nih-KEE'-tin) to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick.
Blue Jackets General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen (YAR'-moh kehk-uh-LEYE'-nin) announced the trade Wednesday. With the trade, Columbus re-acquired the 2014 draft pick that it had sent to Edmonton in exchange for defenceman Nick Schultz in March.
The 28-year-old Nikitin registered two goals and 13 assists for 15 points in 66 games with Columbus last season. He was acquired in a trade with St. Louis in 2011. He tallied 12 goals and 44 assists for 56 points in 158 games as a Blue Jacket.
The Oilers later announced that Nikitin signed a two-year contract with the club.
A native of Omsk, Russia, Nikitin has represented his country several times including, the 2014 Winter Olympics, the 2012 World Hockey Championship and 2006 World Junior Hockey Championship.
