The Ottawa Senators have been presented an ultimatum by Russian prospect Alexander Nikulin: "Trade me or I'm going home."
The 23-year old Nikulin has stated that he will return to Russia if the Senators do not have a deal in place by Monday. He was a scratch Saturday night as the Binghamton Senators faced Bridgeport.
Nikulin stated on his Russian blog that he is disapointed in how slow the process is going.
“So, I've asked for a trade, and the General Manager of the Senators Bryan Murray has agreed. But for some strange reason it's been really dragging. Because I was supposed to have been traded last week by Friday. Then they moved the deal to Monday. But then on Monday nothing was clear again, so I wait."
The Ottawa Citizen is reporting that Senators general manager Bryan Murray has sent a memo around the league, but has received no interest in Nikulin due to the fact that teams are unsure if he will remain in North American if he is not given a roster spot on an NHL team.
Murray has also reportedly contacted Nikulin's agent, J.P. Barry to attempt to find a trade partner, however Barry has yet to respond.
If he does depart, Nikulin will likely find work in the Russian KHL who are not honouring NHL contracts.
Nikulin was originally selected by the Senators in the fourth round (122nd overall) in the 2004 NHL entry draft. He had 14 goals and 36 assists in 71 games for the baby Sens last season. Prior to coming to North America, Nikulin played for five seasons with CSKA Moscow. Nikulin also stated in his blog that CSKA would be the only team in Russia that he would play for.