According to an NHL.com report, the Minnesota Wild dealt defenseman Dmitry Kulikov to the Anaheim Ducks today in exchange for future considerations.
Kulikov, a veteran of 13 NHL seasons and 805 NHL games, brings some much-needed veteran stability to the Anaheim defense corps. In 2021-22, Kulikov had his best season in quite some time, notching more than 20 points for the first time in 10 years and also staying healthy, playing in 80 games. Injuries have been a consistent issue for Kulikov throughout his time in the league.
Averaging 18:12 per game, Kulikov played a bottom-pair but still an important role for the Wild last season. Along with his health, he’s maintained his calling card as a quality defensive defenseman. With the Ducks having some serious question marks at left defense behind Cam Fowler, Kulikov immediately helps fortify a growing team and could provide a solid defensive partner for Jamie Drysdale.
It’s a good trade for the Wild, too, even though they’re losing him for nothing. Minnesota may have managed the salary cap better than most expected considering the massive Zach Parise/Ryan Suter buyout cap hits they face, but they still had a logjam on the blueline with multiple prospects getting closer to NHL readiness. With Calen Addison poised to make the jump to the NHL full-time next season, the Wild simply had one too many NHL defensemen. Considering Alex Goligoski just received an extension and Jonathon Merrill won’t be ready to start the season, Kulikov was the logical trade choice.
Nice get for nothing
Oof. You’d think they could at least get a 4th or a 5th rounder for him. A useful player at a decent salary.
Could still be that. It does say for “future considerations.”
That is usually GM talk for “buy me a beer next time we see each other”.
Buying out Suter was beyond stupid!
Yet the team got better and more fun to watch without him. Gotta side with Bill Guerin over you on this one and the voting wasn’t close.
Hey, if the Wild got better because of this trade, good for them, but Anaheim has put together a pretty good D squad this year. It wasn’t looking all that great a month ago. They have some pretty good veterans and If the kids come to play the Ducks might surprise a lot of people, this year. If they don’t gel and tank they will have some pretty good rentals to get rid of at the trade deadline.