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The Edmonton Oilers traded for the rights to a free agent defenceman, and got him signed to a two-year deal, paying a premium for a shorter term contract. Numbers Game looks at the Oilers inking Nikita Nikitin. The Oilers Get: D Nikita Nikitin. Nikitin, 28, played a career-high 66 games last season, an indication that hes still trying to establish his place in the league. A couple of years ago, in 2011-2012, Nikitin contributed a career-best 32 points in 54 games for Columbus (after seven scoreless games with St. Louis to start the year), playing a career-high 23:12 per game for the season putting up strong relative possession numbers while facing high-quality opposition, while frequently paired with veteran Fedor Tyutin. Thats the Nikitin that the Oilers have to hope they are acquiring. In 2012-2013, Nikitins role was decreased somewhat, and while he still logged 21:12 per game, Nikitin was then surpassed on the depth chart last season by rookie Ryan Murray, leaving Nikitin to play 17:07 per game on the third pair. Playing on that third pair didnt bring ideal results, as Nikitin was a little below break-even in possession terms, but if there is reason to hold out hope for Nikitin, it may be that his with-or-without you numbers arent bad over the past three seasons. Among the 16 skaters with whom he played at least 300 5-on-5 minutes over those three seasons, Nikitin had better possession numbers apart than 11 of those skaters, but that relative effectiveness has decreased in the past two seasons, to the point that in 2013-2014, Nikitin had better possession stats apart from just three of the 13 skaters with whom he played more than 150 5-on-5 minutes. What this would seem to indicate is that Nikitin, who has good size, can skate and handle the puck a bit, isnt necessarily one to carry the play. He could be a useful complementary player and presumably Oilers Senior VP of Hockey Operations Scott Howson (who acquired Nikitin as GM in Columbus) is a fan, but there is risk in bringing in a player with falling possession numbers to a team that already ranked 28th in Fenwick Close (unblocked shot attempts during 5-on-5, score within one goal in first two periods and tied in third period). Its not as though Nikitins play in the past couple seasons indicates that he would improve the results no matter with whom he is partnered and its reasonable to wonder if the Oilers have the right personnel to get positive results with Nikitin on the ice. If the Jeff Petry and Martin Marincin pairing goes ahead, then perhaps Nikitin gets a chance alongside Andrew Ference. Maybe that somehow works out and allows the Oilers some time to develop their young defencemen. Its entirely possible that it wont work out, though, and the short-term nature of the contract suggests that both sides recognize that risk. Signed to a two-year, $9-million deal, Nikitin will be well-compensated, particularly if he cant stick in the Oilers top four, but the downside of a two-year deal is limited compared to the longer term that will be available to other free agent defencemen. The Blue Jackets Get: A fifth-round pick. Since the Blue Jackets werent going to bring Nikitin back, getting any asset in return is a plus. The fifth-round pick, 137th overall, belonged to Columbus originally and was traded to Edmonton last season to acquire D Nick Schultz. A fifth-round pick doesnt bring a lot of value, but its something. From 1990 through 2009, just under 15% of the picks between 121 and 150 played at least 100 NHL games, so there is a little better than a one-in-seven chance of netting an NHL player. While its reasonable for the Oilers to have hope Nikitin can perform in a top-four role, it could be telling that the Blue Jackets would let Nikitin depart as a free agent. Mabye they simply didnt want to pay that kind of money to a third pair defenceman, when they have younger, cheaper options (David Savard, Dalton Prout, Tim Erixon) available and thats fair, but current Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen was the Blues Director of Scouting when St. Louis picked Nikitin in the fifth round in 2004. Lots can change over time and the Blue Jackets arent likely to regret letting Nikitin go, even if he works out well for the Oilers. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. 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The French winger struck again after the interval, combining with Thomas Mueller on the left before firing a deflected shot beyond the helpless Timo Hildebrand in the 55th, as Bayern bounced back from Wednesdays 1-0 loss at FC Basel in the Champions League.SAN FRANCISCO - From his three-homer game in the 2012 World Series to that lasting image of his arms in the air celebrating another championship last month, Pablo Sandoval made quite a mark in San Francisco.Now fans are stunned he is really leaving. Right after he said he would love to retire in a Giants uniform, no less.Kung Fu Panda is moving about as far away as he could go, to the American League and an East Coast team hoping to duplicate San Franciscos recent run of success. Sandoval and the Boston Red Sox agreed to a multiyear contract, and the switch-hitting third baseman informed the Giants on Monday he will be taking his services elsewhere.To the greatest fans in San Francisco! Leaving the (hashtag)SFGiants & this city I love is the most difficult decision I have ever made, Sandoval posted on Twitter and Instagram. I have grown up w/you, laughed & cried w/you & you have blessed me (with) your support, friendship & love. It has been an unforgettable @SFGiants career, a great run & 3 World Series championships in 5 yrs w/great teammates, coaches, front office & fans. I will always remember you w love & my heart will always be in (hashtag)SF.Sandoval, the 2012 World Series MVP, had pondered an offer from the Giants worth about $95 million over five years, assistant general manager Bobby Evans said. San Francisco might have taken it up closer to $100 million. Thats comparable to what Sandoval is expected to receive from the Red Sox.The slugger is expected to be formally introduced Tuesday in Boston.Whats next for Evans and Giants general manager Brian Sabean is unclear, given theres hardly a panda-sized pool of available third basemen.The Giants are likely to show interest in free-agent third baseman Chase Headley. They also are expected to enter the race for Cuban outfielder Yasmany Tomas.Sabean said when the season ended that Sandoval was the No. 1 priority before anything else got done to build the 2015 roster.Losing Sandoval stings, and will for a while — even if he was ready for a change and new challenge after seven major league seasons with the Giants.The burly switch hitter was beloved in the Bay Area, where fans sported panda hats in his honour — including a quartet of oversized heads on a few fans during the ffranchises latest championship run.dddddddddddd. His lasting memory likely will be the moment he leaned back on bent knees and raised his arms in triumph after winning another World Series last month.He has been with us through some of the greatest moments in San Francisco Giants history — including all three World Series championships, the Giants said in a statement. We will never forget his World Series MVP performance in 2012 and his numerous contributions to the 2014 championship. His connection with Giants fans — young and old — is truly special, and he will be greatly missed. We wish him nothing but the best in Boston.The 28-year-old Sandoval met with the Red Sox last week. After winning his third World Series title in five years with San Francisco, he indicated he wanted to retire with the Giants. He is coming off a three-year deal that guaranteed him $17.15 million.Sandoval joins a big-spending Boston team that finished last in the AL East, one year after winning the World Series.Sandoval hit .279 with 16 homers and 73 RBIs in 157 games this season. He also batted .366 in the post-season with seven doubles and five RBIs, four during the World Series against Kansas City.I want to wear that jersey for the rest of my career, Sandoval said after the Oct. 31 victory parade. Im going to go from what my heart tells me.Having the chance to eventually become a designated hitter could have factored into his choice.After the season, Sandoval declined to answer when asked whether he might accept a hometown discount. He has faced constant criticism about his ever-changing waistline, and the fact he performs in the post-season but has been inconsistent through the first 162 games.Id love to be back here. I love the fans. I love my teammates, Sandoval said. They taught me a lot of things, to respect the game and play the game right.Sandoval and the Giants traded offers in the spring but failed to reach a deal.Sabean said earlier this month much of his off-season business would be dictated by what happened with Sandoval. Other free agents from the team are starting pitchers Jake Peavy and Ryan Vogelsong, reliever Sergio Romo and left fielder Michael Morse.The GM can now begin work on the next names on his checklist. ' ' '