Confirmed Signing with Link: [WPG] Dmitry Kulikov (3 years, $4.33M AAV)

[The Zetterberg Era]

I think he will be fine. It is a good gamble for Winnipeg in my opinion. The guy has played like a top 4 d-man almost all of his career outside of crushing his back on an open bench door and struggling to come back.

He seems like a solid guy, I also think his game from when he was in Florida meshes well with Trouba. Winnipeg doesn't get the pick of the litter, this is a good signing for them in my opinion. The figures might be higher than we expected but I think they will be fine. They got better today and that is what matters for them at this point. They need to be pushing for the playoffs at this point, that group has too much talent not to be doing that.

 

[broinwhyteridge]

They need to be pushing for the playoffs at this point, that group has too much talent not to be doing that.

Let's hope that the coaching doesn't get in the way again.

 

[lanky]

Let's hope that the coaching doesn't get in the way again.

At this point, that's the last factor that could hold the Jets back.

I'll be very upset if Maurice is extended before the team puts up some wins.

 

[VoluntaryDom]

smart move 4 Jets

 

[Whileee]

For the Jets, it's all about the term. Paying more salary for less term fits their roster. They needed a LD who can play 14-18 minutes, probably paired with Myers and on the PK.

Salary is a bit high, but I like this for the Jets.

 

[Fantomas]

That's a lot of money for a guy who sucks.

 

[biturbo19]

His back is fine. He fell through an open bench door, it's not like it's a chronic thing that has plagued him his entire life. Problem was that he played like **** after he returned from the injury, but the Sabres were a mess last year. Wouldn't worry about it.

Problem is, freak accident or not...back injuries can become a chronic issue. A lot of guys who end up with a significant back injury like that, end up continuing to fight that through the rest of their careers.

That's the risk.

 

[bleuetbio]

change of scenary can bring good things. I like it for the Jets.

 

[SCP Guy]

We could only overpay if the term was short..... we don't need the cap space for 2-3 years so if he bounces back to his Florida form this deal is okay .....

 

[ediger]

The amount the Jets pay Scheifele allows them to overpay the occasional FA. Decent gamble.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

His back is fine. He fell through an open bench door, it's not like it's a chronic thing that has plagued him his entire life. Problem was that he played like **** after he returned from the injury, but the Sabres were a mess last year. Wouldn't worry about it.

If his back is "fine" then Winnipeg is trouble. The Kulikov that finished the year for Buffalo was once of the worst Sabres in team history. He was a -26 for a reason. Now if he somehow fixed his injury or something that's a different story.

 

[BB88]

If he's healthy he can be a top4, 1 year too long but I guess Chevy is looking at safety with both Myers& Enstrom having 1-2 years left on their contracts.

 

[pigpen65]

If his back is "fine" then Winnipeg is trouble. The Kulikov that finished the year for Buffalo was once of the worst Sabres in team history. He was a -26 for a reason. Now if he somehow fixed his injury or something that's a different story.

It's not like last year was his only year in the league to base an opinion on. He's played 8 seasons in the league. Last year was a trade, back injury, and hot mess of a **** team. I think it's a pretty safe bet to treat last year as an outlier.

 

[Sticksandsun]

He's been solid his whole career except for last year, surprised at people who don't like this deal. Slightly overpaid for a good player.

 

[Daximus]

He's being brought in for his defensive abilities I think. He'll be Buff's partner. Buff likes to activate and jump into the play a lot. He needs a partner whose #1 focus is on the defensive side of the puck. We don't need Kulikov to put up a lot of points we just need him to be stable on defence. A bit of an overpayment but we have the space so the money is no issue. I don't think he sees much if any minutes with Myers outside of special teams maybe.

 

[Guardian17]

As a Jets fan I'm okay with this.

I expect we have to overpay to get players to come here.

 

[Team_Spirit]

Whoa what is Winnipeg doing? Bad moves today.

 

[Tasteless Beaver]

Whoa what is Winnipeg doing? Bad moves today.

We're not cap-strapped, and we've filled the team's obvious shortcomings by signing UFAs on short-term deals. The players we've signed are the best available, without committing huge salaries for very long term (like Alzner). Mason is better than Hutchinson, Kulikov is better than Stuart/Chiarot/Melchiori. It didn't cost us any assets to get them. If Kulikov and Mason don't perform according to their salaries, whoop-de-doo, they're gone in a couple years. Today has gone pretty well for us.

 

[Yatzhee]

Jets fans should likeep him. Yes a bit of an over payment, but nothing to write home about.
He should rebound, he's plenty young enough.
To bad about the freak injury in Buffalo. But he should be fully ready to roll next season. Good signing overall.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

It's not like last year was his only year in the league to base an opinion on. He's played 8 seasons in the league. Last year was a trade, back injury, and hot mess of a **** team. I think it's a pretty safe bet to treat last year as an outlier.

You're missing the whole point. There seems to be zero indication his back injury is not a chronic thing that can't be fixed. He's playing with it -- and I saw a much different player. Can't compare previous eight years if he's now broken. Maybe Jets have some intel.

 

[Royale With Cheese]

Whoa what is Winnipeg doing? Bad moves today.

Time will tell if these were value signings or not, but the moves specifically addressed the two needs we had - 1A/1B goalie and LHD.

Plus, Jets got rid of Stuart, Thorburn, and Pavelec.

Win-City.

 

[Guardian17]

We don't need him to score, we need him to play good defense.

 

[Redline]

Didn't think he'd get that much money. He'll be one happy camper today.

 

[thekernel]

Winnipeg needs more deals like this.

 

[TheDoldrums]

He completely fell off a cliff last season. I wouldn't want to bet on a guy with back problems rebounding. Really thought he'd have to take a shorter contract to prove he can still play.