Huberdeau/Kulikov Trade
 

Looking to add a solid young d man to shore up my defense for the team in sig. Have an offer on the table where I receive his Kulikov for my Huberdeau.

Finished in second last year and expect I will be very competitive again.

Have our draft this weekend to draft the 5 non keepers but expect it will be tough to draft a young d man that will make an impact anytime soon as I draft in the 10 spot

Am I crazy for considering?

Thanks.

Yes you are crazy. If still you can't win with your current defence, adding Kullikov won't help. Forwards and goaltending wins championships. Keep Huberdeau, Kullikov isn't a game breaker.

The same team has Ekman-Larson. Anyone like this trade if it is Huberdeau for Ekman-Larson or am I still best to hang on to Huberdeau?

OEL certainly makes the offer attractive. Now maybe I'm alone on this, but I'm must not a big fan of Huberdeau's. The only sample size I have is small, the last two WJC's, but I wasn't blown away. From what I saw, he is a perimeter player and doesn't like the tough areas of the ice. I also think all the razzle dazzle with the puck that allowed him to light up the Q is more likely to see him getting his head taken off than lighting the lamp in the NHL. I'm not saying he isn't a good hockey player, but IMO he is over rated and will need time to adjust to the NHL. If I need a D, I would indeed move him for OEL. I would not move him for Kulikov.

I agree with the post above on Huberdeau. I don't think he will ever get to elite status, and it will take him a while to get to producing big numbers. If you really want D, and can get OEL, go for it. He will help you this year and will only get better.