Penguins snag Kulikov from Ducks for McGinn, 3rd-rounder

The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired defenseman Dmitry Kulikov from the Anaheim Ducks for forward Brock McGinn and a 2024 third-round pick, the teams announced Friday.

Kulikov is a pending unrestricted free agent. Anaheim is retaining 50% of his $2.25-million salary.

The 32-year-old has been a top-four blue-liner on the porous Ducks all season, collecting 15 points in 61 games while averaging over 20 minutes. The Penguins will be Kulikov's fifth team since 2020.

McGinn cleared waivers earlier this week and is owed $2.75 million per season through 2024-25. He spent the first six years of his career with the Carolina Hurricanes and registered 16 points in 60 games with the Penguins this season while averaging 13 minutes.

Anaheim now has 13 total picks within the opening three rounds of the next three drafts.

The Penguins have made a series of depth trades leading up to the deadline. Pittsburgh brought in Mikael Granlund and Nick Bonino in separate moves before the Kulikov trade. They also shipped out Teddy Blueger.