The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired defenceman Dmitri Kulikov from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Brock McGinn and a third-round pick.
Kulikov, 32, is a pending unrestricted free agent playing out the final season of a two-year deal that he first signed with the Minnesota Wild in the 2021 offseason. As of this writing, he has 15 points in 61 contests, averaging 20:12 a night of all-situations ice time.
Dmitry Kulikov, acquired by PIT, is a defensive defenceman who was maybe not particularly well-suited to playing top-four minutes on the worst defensive team of the cap era. #LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/2LtM76EklX
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 3, 2023
The Penguins aren't acquiring Kulikov for his offence, though. The Russian blueliner has built something of a reputation for his durable defensive play and capable puck-moving in a depth role. He's struggled in a top-four role with Anaheim this season, but then again, who hasn't? It's not an unreasonable bet that he'll put in better work insulated in a depth role.
Brock McGinn, acquired by ANA, is an all-defence fourth-line winger with a bit of finishing touch. Two years left on his deal. #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/gXf7vERbSM
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 3, 2023
McGinn, meanwhile, is a 29-year-old winger, signed for another two seasons after this one at $2.75 million annually. He's struggled in a depth role with the Penguins this season and even cleared waivers not all that long ago. He has 16 points in 60 games.
