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NHL Free Agency 2017: 5 Worst Signings

By Dave Stevenson

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 16: T.J. Oshie
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 16: T.J. Oshie /
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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 23: Dmitry Kulikov #77 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on December 23, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Islanders defeated the Sabres 5-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 23: Dmitry Kulikov #77 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on December 23, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Islanders defeated the Sabres 5-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

3. Dmitry Kulikov – Winnipeg Jets

The contract: Three years, $13.1 million, six team no trade clause

Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg Jets /

Winnipeg Jets

Why it’s terrible: Oh man, there is so much to hate about this contract. Where to start? Let’s start with the one sort of redeeming factor about this contract – three years isn’t awful for a 26 year old defenseman. It is, however, inexcusable for someone who is coming off a season as bad as Kulikov’s.

Before joining the Buffalo Sabres via a trade at the 2016 NHL Draft, he played for the Florida Panthers. Kulikov wasn’t outstanding with the Panthers, but he was at worst decent. He averaged over 20 minutes a night and killed penalties without being a total liability.

Kulikov was certainly a liability with the Sabres, largely thanks to injuries. Five points in 37 games was his lowest total of his career. Kulikov’s 0.11 points per game in 2016-17 was the worst of his career. His next lowest? 0.23 per game. If this was a one-year deal, I still wouldn’t like it, but I’d at least understand it. Sign him for a year and hope he gets back to his Panthers form. But three years? Yikes.

And to top it all off, Kulikov somehow has a no trade clause. A minor one, mind you, but still.

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