And team control is totally a thing. Say what you will about the Mueller trade, Mirco played on the team for three years and was a RFA we didn’t give a qualifying offer to. Someone had to play defense on that team.
This trade might feel somewhat worse and would definitely feel a whole lot weirder if Fitz doesn’t trade at least one defenseman before 3pm Monday but that would be a shocking plot twist.
None of the rookies in Bing sound like they should be up here now, they seem to have plenty to learn in the AHL right now. Plus the most intriguing guy, Vukojevic, will be 19 until June and has been dealing with an injury.
Again, someone has to play defense on this team. Kulikov should bring a very good return, in part thanks to his 1.15m cap hit, and we also have one more salary retention bullet in the chamber.
I was expecting like a 2nd for Kulikov but then the Merrill deal happened. Kulikov has been better so I expect more than a 5th. Wouldn’t be surprised if the offers are only like a 3rd or 4th though