Player Discussion: Dimitry Kulikov, the Russian Rifle

[JetsUK]

https://www.tsn.ca/winnipeg-jets-d-dmitry-kulikov-out-until-all-star-break-1.1407474

Kulikov now out at least 8 weeks, projected to return in or around the ASB.

Plus ca change...

 

[voyageur]

Poolman endured the "trial by fire" and is only recently (and for a bit last season, to be fair) looking like he belongs, albeit perhaps not as a top 4 D. If you want your prospects to develop you've got to trust them at some point to play in the NHL, despite concerns about some aspect(s) of their game.

I'm continually surprised by the circular arguments I see here regarding prospects: "X isn't playing in the NHL because X hasn't proven that he can play in the NHL because X hasn't played in the NHL." WTH?

Play him. Give him some games without the pressure of benching if he makes a mistake or two, with the knowledge that even our best D have made their fair share of howlers. Coach him after every shift and after every game. Go over areas of weakness and strength and watch for adjustment/ improvement. Even the worst D isn't going to cost you game after game (as we know from this year so far). Then you know.

I'm just curious on your perspective. Would you have benched one of the starting 6 just to play Niku, even though the team was winning, because Niku is fundamental to develop, over winning? Ok, we then had an injury, which provides an opportunity. First Beaulieu then Kulikov. But then Niku gets hurt. Where did it go wrong?

 

[Trinity]

Do we know what Chevy is doing with Kulikov? Bring him back on a cheap deal or let him go via UFA? Any discussions ongoing to bring him back?

 

[BatVader]

Do we know what Chevy is doing with Kulikov? Bring him back on a cheap deal or let him go via UFA? Any discussions ongoing to bring him back?

Hopefully letting him go to UFA

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

Do we know what Chevy is doing with Kulikov? Bring him back on a cheap deal or let him go via UFA? Any discussions ongoing to bring him back?

I think we have our quota of depth Dmen. Any further changes will be for an upgrade.

 

[cbcwpg]

Do we know what Chevy is doing with Kulikov? Bring him back on a cheap deal or let him go via UFA? Any discussions ongoing to bring him back?

He became a UFA on October 9th. He's already gone...

 

[tntkid]

Injury prone and overpaid.

Good riddance.

 

[Upperdeckjet]

What a frustratingly disappointing signing that turned out to be.

 

[Tasteless Beaver]

He was alright. Probably overpaid by a bit but he was definitely not our worst defenseman. We had no LHD depth, he was definitely welcome.

 

[garret9]

same results as Forbort, a 1mil player... called this signing being bad

 

[Ducky10]

Never understood what anyone saw in Kuli, good luck elsewhere.

 

[JetsUK]

Never understood what anyone saw in Kuli, good luck elsewhere.

I feel like Kuli was part of the same orginzational over-reaction that saw us sign Mason, and then overreact again to lose Mason.

When he wasn't injured he occasionally showed flashes of speed and skill and limited physicality; other than that didn't make much impression, except as a whole lotta cash we weren't able to spend on someone better. If a nothingburger played D in the NHL in-between chronic injuries and got paid millions for it he'd be Kulikov, I guess.

 

[Trinity]

He became a UFA on October 9th. He's already gone...

No kidding. I meant were there any efforts to bring him back. Looks like no.

 

[tbcwpg]

No kidding. I meant were there any efforts to bring him back. Looks like no.

Doubtful, too much money for what he brings now.

 

[StumpyTown]

If Kuli was to sign a 1x1.5 or something of that nature I think he'd be right about where he should be. He may have to do that to stay in the league right now.

 

[Jets 31]

Don't let the door hit you on your ass on the way out Kulikov because you would be out injured for 6 months.

 

[Jets]

Probably KHL bound

 

[1stDan]

Never understood what anyone saw in Kuli, good luck elsewhere.

I thought he was a fantastic, smart, mobile dedender. When he wasn't injured... which was almost never.

 

[WolfgangPuck]

Kulikov signs with the Devils 1 year contract Was good here when he wasn’t injured.
Didn’t show much in past 2 season to warrant resigning.

 

[voyageur]

Kulikov signs with the Devils 1 year contract Was good here when he wasn’t injured.
Didn’t show much in past 2 season to warrant resigning.

Decent enough regular season player but never stepped up his game in the playoffs. His departure is Samberg's opportunity.

 

[Ossific]

Decent enough regular season player but never stepped up his game in the playoffs. His departure is Samberg's opportunity.

I honestly would take Forbert at 1 million over Kuli any day.

 

[sigdawg]

I honestly would take Forbert at 1 million over Kuli any day.

Looks like Chevy agreed.