(3/31/12) We first reported this sleeper advice earlier in the week, and Nikita Nikitin has simply turned up the production since.  In the last two games he has 5 points (2G, 3A), including a whopper of a performance on Friday (2G, 1A) as the Blue Jackets trounced the Panthers at home.  Nikitin recorded a goal on the PP, took 5 shots and notched 25+ minutes of ice-time.  With both James Wisniewski and Fedor Tyutin out, Nikitin is filling the void in a big way.  Yet, looking back over his career, he doesn't have a history of big offense.  So, while he is hot right now, we will need to see him carry this foward into next season before we take him aboard full-time.

 

 

Previous: (3/27/12) Blue Jackets defenseman Nikita Nikitin has very quietly had a strong fantasy season, and it's only injuries that have kept him flying below the radar.  He has 26 points in 55 games, a pace that would put him at 39 points over a full campaign.  Had he remained healthy, we suspect he could have topped the 40-plateau.  

Nikitin notched an assist last night against the Wings, and he now has 4-points in his last five games.  If you need a guy to fill in on D for the final week, Nikitin is worth a gamble.