The Minnesota Wild have added another defenceman late on Wednesday. According to Michael Russo, the Wild have agreed with veteran defenceman Dmitry Kulikov on a two-year deal. The contract is worth $4.5 million, or 2.25 million AAV.
#mnwild sign veteran defenseman Dmitry Kulikov to a two-year, $4.5 million contract ($2.25M AAV)
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) July 29, 2021
Dmitry Kulikov Signs With the Minnesota Wild
Over his 12-year NHL career Kulikov has played for the Florida Panthers, Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres, Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey Devils. He has put up 35 goals and 139 assists for 174 career points in 724 career NHL games. Kulikov was originally drafted in the first round, 14th overall of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Panthers.
Last season he scored zero goals and four assists for four points in 48 games played with New Jersey and Edmonton. He was traded to the Oilers prior to the 2021 NHL Trade Deadline. Kulikov also added 28 minutes in penalties. His possession numbers were 47.7 percent Corsi-For and a relative Corsi of -4.5. In three Stanley Cup Playoff games, Kulikov was held pointless and the Oilers were swept in the first round by the Winnipeg Jets. In 27 career playoff games, Kulikov has one goal and six assists for seven points.
Kulikov doesn’t have the offensive game that he showed earlier in his career but is still decent defensively. He helps the Wild rebuild their blueline after buying out Ryan Suter last week. The 30-year-old should provide solid play on the left side for the next two years. General manager Bill Guerin also signed veteran defender Alex Goligoski earlier in the day.
Dmitry Kulikov Main Photo:
BOSTON, MA – MARCH 30: New Jersey Devils defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (70) starts up ice during a game between the Boston Bruins and the New Jersey Devils on March 30, 2021, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
