Dmitry Kulikov is on the move with the Anaheim Ducks trading the veteran defenseman to the Pittsburgh Penguins, sources told ESPN’s Emily Kaplan on Friday, confirming multiple reports.
The Ducks will receive a third-round pick in deal, as well as veteran forward Brock McGinn, according to multiple reports.
The 32-year-old Kulikov gives the Penguins another top-six defenseman they believe can help strengthen their chances of returning to the playoffs. The Penguins entered Friday in the first of two Eastern Conference wild-card spots. They have a one-point lead on the New York Islanders, the team occupying the second wild-card spot.
Pittsburgh also has a five-point advantage over four teams — the Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals.
A pending unrestricted free agent, Kulikov was one of those players who was expected to be moved going into the deadline. One of the items that made Kulikov a potential option in addition to his contract situation is that he was second on the Ducks in 5-on-5 ice time while also leading the Ducks in short-handed minutes.
The Penguins rank 18th in goals allowed per game while also ranking 16th on the penalty kill.
Even though there is not a year attached to the third-round pick, it still gives the Ducks one more piece of draft capital. They have nine picks for the 2023 draft, nine picks for the 2024 draft and seven picks for the 2025 draft.
Furthermore, the Ducks are among the number of teams in the running to win the draft lottery and select the presumed No. 1 pick in Connor Bedard. They came into Friday with the third-fewest points in the NHL and are two points better than the Columbus Blue Jackets for the lowest points in the NHL.
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Penguins bulk up defense, land Kulikov from Ducks, sources say
