Vancouver Canucks: Top 15 unrestricted free-agent targets
By David Joun
No. 6: Dmitry Kulikov
The only reason Kulikov is this low on the list is how expensive he may be and how long-term his contract would likely be.
Age: 26
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 205 lbs
2016-17 Stats: 47GP – 2G – 5PTS
2016-17 Salary: $4.33 million
Kulikov is not lacking in size. He has the offensive assets to be a top-four defenseman. His mobility is one of the best in the league from the blueline and he is not afraid to jump in on the rush to help out on the scoring.
And it seems that GM Jim Benning could have been interested and for good reason. With Erik Gudbranson in Vancouver, the old Florida Panthers teammates could look nice on a reunion.
Lots of interest in UFA defenseman Dmitri Kulikov who played
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) June 26, 2017
with Erik Gudbranson in Florida. Could be on #Canucks radar.
I would also believe that a Kulikov signing would allow for a trade for the Vancouver Canucks. Whether it be Ben Hutton or Chris Tanev, Kulikov’s mobility could make these two expendable in more ways than not.