The fourth defender on the off-season target list is another option that can move the puck well and play top-four minutes. This time however, we are looking at more risky options, and options that still have room to grow. Today we look at a guy that is highly likely to be on the market, Florida’s Dmitry Kulikov.
Why Is He Out There?:
Rumors were flying at the start of the season that Kulikov was on the market in Florida, and I can’t exactly pinpoint why. Many believe Kulikov is a risk to bolt to the KHL for money this summer. He’s a pending RFA, and hasn’t exactly had the desired impact in Florida, even though he’s been a very good player for the Cats. It looks like money and the fear that the player might head home has the Panthers willing to move this underrated blue-liner.
Buyer beware however, he is a RFA this summer and will require a new contract.
What Does He Do Well?:
One thing that stands out right away about Kulikov, he’s a good possession player on a bottom feeder hockey club in Florida, and is a guy that can put up okay offensive numbers. This past season, on a team that finished 29th overall, Kulikov had a pretty solid 51.2% Corsi For %, which was a step up from his 50.0% number on a 30th place team during the 2012-13 season.
He’s a player that is improving as well, as his possession numbers have improved every single year, while his offense has stayed at a respectable clip. He scored 19 points this past season for a Panthers team that struggled in a big way to put the puck in the net.
He’s got a big shot from the point, which can be a big plus for an Oiler power-play lacking that element, and has pretty good offensive instincts from all accounts. He’s a player that seems to fit in with what the Oilers want to build in Edmonton, he’s a puck-mover that is a good possession player.
He’s young too, and would fit in perfectly with the Oilers’ core players and the development curve of the team. Yes, he is improving, but he still has some potential to tap into.
He’s established himself as a top-four option these last two years, and looks poised to establish himself as a top-pairing option in the next two/three seasons.
The Hockey News calls him a talented defender with good upside, which is pretty accurate. As mentioned, he fits the type of defender this team needs skill wise.
Where Will He Play, and Where Should He Play?:
Kulikov will likely come to Edmonton and play on the team’s top-pairing, which would be an increased work-load. That said, he can already handle around twenty minutes a night and put in a productive performance. He should likely slide in on the left side of the second pairing, or on the top-pairing with a good RHD, say the guy we talked about yesterday, Johnny Boychuk.
What Will He Cost?:
He’d likely cost less the Boychuk would, mainly because the Panthers seem willing to get rid of him. Florida needs offense badly, and could be interested in taking on Sam Gagner, who even in a bad year would have been top three in scoring for Florida. The team could move Sam to the wing too, and the easier competition out east could make him a prime rebound candidate.
David Perron would likely interest the Panthers, while a bigger deal involving Kulikov and another asset for the 3rd overall pick could be something to talk about, although I’d say that is highly unlikely.
I’d start with Sam Gagner and a prospect and see where you get.
Closing Argument:
Dmitry Kulikov is not a stud or an elite defender, but he’d be a piece that would easily be part of the answer to the woes plaguing the Oilers. Kulikov is a a skilled defender who can move the puck well, and is already a good possession player in the early stages of his career while handling 20 minutes a night. He’s improving in the possession area each and every season, and has room to grow.
He’d be a welcomed addition to the Oilers’ top-four on the back-end, and would improve a unit badly needing a strong possession player that moves the puck well.
If Dale Tallon is still keen on moving this young Russian, Craig MacTavish would be wise to make a play for him.
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