Friedman: Oilers’ Nikita Nikitin won’t go to Russia

Damien Cox and Elliotte Friedman go through the latest news in the NHL, including Mike Richards and Nikita Nikitin’s situation, an update on the Sabres goalies and more.

Nikita Nikitin will not be going to Russia, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

Rumours surfaced earlier this week that the Russian defenceman — who was placed on waivers and assigned to AHL Bakersfield by the Edmonton Oilers — would go back to his former KHL team Avangard Omsk.

Nikitin, 29, has one year to go on his two-year, $9 million deal.

The defenceman has 17 goals and 75 points in 248 career NHL games, including four goals and 10 points in 42 games with the Oilers last year.

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