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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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Shaun Hill Jersey . - Roger Federer squandered a big lead and lost to No.PHILADELPHIA - Nick Foles and Mark Sanchez got opposite results with similar performances in a disappointing season.So which quarterback will lead the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015?Foles has one year left on his rookie contract and is 15-4 as a starter under coach Chip Kelly. Sanchez, who will be a free agent after this season, is 3-4, including three straight losses that knocked Philadelphia (9-6) out of the playoff race before Sundays season finale at the New York Giants (6-9).I just havent evaluated anything, Kelly said this week. We have a process that we go through. Ill watch every single game, every single throw, every single decision that everybody made in every position before we make legitimate decisions in terms of what we do. I dont think its fair to any player or anything to say, Yeah, I saw enough.Foles followed up a breakout year with an inconsistent one before fracturing his collarbone Nov. 2. He threw 13 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions and had an 81.4 passer rating. In 2013, Foles set an NFL record for best TD/INT ratio of 27/2 while helping the Eagles win the division after going 4-12 in 2012. His passer rating of 119.2 was the third-highest ever, and he capped it off by being honoured as offensive MVP of the Pro Bowl.Though his turnovers were up significantly, Foles still found ways to help the Eagles win. He did get help from the defence and special teams, which scored a bunch of touchdowns in the first half of the season.Foles will earn $660,000 in 2015, but hes eligible for a contract eextension.dddddddddddd Its possible his injury cost him a long-term deal and the Eagles will let him play out his final year before making a lucrative commitment.Well sit down and thoroughly evaluate everything, Kelly said. He got hurt, so we have to make decisions moving forward in terms of what were going to do. I cant say, Hey, lets not make a decision because I need to see him play 16 more games. In certain times were going to have to make decisions, so you have to make it based on what you have. We dont have any control over the injury.Sanchez revived his career in Philadelphia after he sat out last season because of shoulder surgery and was dumped by the New York Jets. He played well enough to prove he could compete for a starting job on certain teams, but also missed an opportunity to solidify himself as a No. 1 guy.Sanchez has thrown for 2,216 yards, 12 TDs and 10 interceptions. His completion percentage (64.1) and passer rating (87.3) are career highs.All the big-picture questions are not really for me to decide right now, Sanchez said. Just playing again, being back on the field is a huge win for me personally.Of course, some think the Eagles will try to land Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota in the NFL draft. Kelly coached Mariota at Oregon and raves about him. But getting Mariota requires a blockbuster trade.So, its Foles job for now.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.organd AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_RobMaaddi ' ' '