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Toronto Maple Leafs: 3 Under the Radar Trades for a Defenseman

By Jeff Borsuk

HAMILTON, ON -MARCH 12: General Manager Kyle Dubas of the Toronto Maple Leafs heads to a breazy practice prior a game against the Buffalo Sabres during the 2022 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic at Tim Hortons Field on March 12, 2022 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
HAMILTON, ON -MARCH 12: General Manager Kyle Dubas of the Toronto Maple Leafs heads to a breazy practice prior a game against the Buffalo Sabres during the 2022 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic at Tim Hortons Field on March 12, 2022 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Dmitry Kulikov #29 of the Anaheim Ducks (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

Dmitry Kulikov

Dmitry Kulikov is in his first year with the Anaheim Ducks and his 14th in the NHL. It’s his seventh franchise of his career and his fifth in four years.

Kulikov’s inability to find a long term home is actually an asset for him. He’s learned how to find his place and role quickly with a foreign group. This may make him the perfect person to acquire as a rental.

Now, at 32-years-old, the 6-foot-1, 204 pound blue liner has been known as a true defender. Kulikov has never topped 28 points in a season. He protects his own end and can be a presence on the Maple Leafs penalty kill. This has always been his game. Kulikov plays to his strength, which is why he has lasted so long in the league.

This season, Kulikov is averaging a hefty 20:22 per game. It’s a lot more minutes than Toronto would need from him. If they were to play him on a bottom pairing, over Connor Timmins, the Maple Leafs would be even more difficult to score on.

Kulikov shoots left but can play on both sides of the ice. The benefit that Keefe has with his lineup is that TJ Brodie has experience and the ability to play on either the left or right side as well. That means, if Dubas managed to swing a deal with the Ducks general manager, Pat Verbeek, to acquire Kulikov, Keefe has options. If in fact Timmins became the odd man out, Keefe could move Brodie over to the right side and slot Kulikov on the left.

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