Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Resign him before the end of the season.
Nikitin is a solid presence on the CBJ blue line, and is leading all Blue Jackets defensemen in +/- with +6. This ties him with Fedor Tyutin for third best +/- on the roster, behind forwards Boone Jenner (9) and Corey Tropp (11). Despite only contributing 14 points in 51 games this season, Nikitin has the third most shots for CBJ defensemen with 73, and has 12 assists on the year. Being that Nikitin is one of four Jackets players who played in the Olympics this year, I doubt he will be traded or let go.