Confirmed with Link: Devils sign Kulikov

[TrufleShufle]

At least he's not a small soft finesse guy. For one year at such a cheap cap hit he won't block any prospects and may actually be able to give some stability to Subban to help him rebound. Maybe he helps push the Devils defense all the way from complete dumpster fire to just a stove top grease fire.

This does sort of suggest Fitz isn't seeing anything in the trade pipeline in the near future for a defender.

OOOOOORRRRR, wanted back up so he could freely trade Butcher with out worrying about filling the spot later.... I can hope.

 

[Cheddabombs]

Meh not transformative but he could help a bit. It's one year so whatever we'll see how he does.

 

[MauDevils]

Jets fans seems to be saying he was solid for them...so not sure what you’re taking about.

If he was that solid I'm sure they would have kept him for the rock bottom price we just paid.

 

[Oneiro]

He’s an NHL defenseman, meaning we have improved our team.

 

[Nubmer6]

I don't see him as 2nd pairing. I think I'd actually prefer Butcher over him there... unless we're thinking we throw Smith right into the fire on the 2nd pair.

 

[Blackjack]

Seems like an upgrade over Mueller and Carrick

 

[Forge]

Wouldn't be surprised if we add another low rent righty and force Ty to actually make the team.

 

[beekay414]

Wouldn't be surprised if we add another low rent righty and force Ty to actually make the team.

We already have a low rent righty that we "like" in Carrick

 

[MartyOwns]

very meh on this. Just pray it doesn't mean we're "done" on defense....

 

[Better Call Sal]

If he was that solid I'm sure they would have kept him for the rock bottom price we just paid.

Considering the Jets are having cap issues at the moment, even this "rock bottom" price is a tough stretch and they still have RFAs to sign. They only have $27k currently in available cap space.

They also have two decent young LDs coming up on ELCs, so I'm sure it was easier for them to let Kulikov walk.

 

[My3Sons]

do we have a choice so far

My own preference would be for Smith to play with a suitable partner if he breaks into the NHL for the upcoming season. If Butcher has to be limited to third pair and PP only he doesn't fill a good role on a team trying to develop a similar style of defender. I'd prefer to see Smith paired with a defensively stable veteran partner that can help tutor and guide him and cover up bit for the defensive miscues that are likely to happen with a young player who is a puck moving finesse defender. If there is an AHL season and Smith starts there I'd have no problem with Butcher in a third pairing role with a stable defensively savvy veteran partner that doesn't need to be clocked with a sundial when he tries to skate quickly.

 

[Cheddabombs]

You absolutely cannot put Butcher with Smith.

Murray-Severson
Butcher-Subban
Kulikov-Smith

Yeah I think these are the optimal pairs right now. If Murray and Kulikov are healthy, I think the defense is slightly improved over last year. It's when they'll likely get injured where we don't have much depth and it'll crumble.

 

[My3Sons]

I don't see him as 2nd pairing. I think I'd actually prefer Butcher over him there... unless we're thinking we throw Smith right into the fire on the 2nd pair.

So you think that Kulikov is the worst own zone defender since I last played? Really, Butcher on the second pair? Are you trying to kill me? Is that some sort of sick joke? There are children that watch Devils games and you'd roll Butcher out there with Subban on a second pair? What is wrong with you?

 

[Ripshot 43]

Right now we have 7 NHL D which includes Smith and Carrick. I’m alright with this.

 

[Nubmer6]

So you think that Kulikov is the worst own zone defender since I last played? Really, Butcher on the second pair? Are you trying to kill me? Is that some sort of sick joke? There are children that watch Devils games and you'd roll Butcher out there with Subban on a second pair? What is wrong with you?

I'm just not high on his defensive ability from what I'm reading.

 

[Better Call Sal]

 

[Comparison Ford]

another plus to this is that we can flip him at the deadline for something if we are not in a playoff spot

 

[Forge]

We already have a low rent righty that we "like" in Carrick

I forget that dude exists...though if you're going to make Ty Smith earn it, I suppose Carrick is better suited as a 7th D. I don't much care either way provided we avoided keeping Smith as a 7th D. Either play him a ton at the AHL level, or give him the sheltered 3rd pairing NHL minutes. Those are the two ways I'm okay with.

 

[Forge]

So if you can slot him correctly...maybe you get competence as far as a third pairing goes.

 

[beekay414]

Yep. Kulikov is fine on the bottom pair and is a nice partner for someone like Ty. It's the right idea/approach. Doesn't necessarily mean/tell us much either though. We could still trade for a dman on either side.

 

[Guttersniped]

JERZ!

Kulikov was actually very solid defensively even strength looking at the advanced stats. It looks like he mostly played with Neal Pionk, so he’s a LD who pairs well with a puck moving defenseman. Kulikov might have been holding out for more and today he finally gave up but he’s actually what we needed.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

so as it stands now...

Murray-Severson
Butcher-Subban
Kulikov-T. Smith
Carrick

I guess?

 

[Nocashstyle]

If he was that solid I'm sure they would have kept him for the rock bottom price we just paid.

Yeah, because fans are the ones that determine who gets resigned

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

so as it stands now...

Murray-Severson
Butcher-Subban
Kulikov-T. Smith
Carrick

I guess?

Butcher and Subban are both pretty slow skaters so I'm not so enthusiastic about this.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Butcher and Subban are both pretty slow skaters so I'm not so enthusiastic about this.

I hear you, but I am not sure putting Butcher with Smith is the best option either