New Jersey Devils Turn Dmitry Kulikov Into A 2022 Draft Pick

The New Jersey Devils traded defenseman Dmitry Kulikov to the Edmonton Oilers just before noon on Monday. They made the move with a few hours left before the NHL Trade Deadline, where teams are looking to add without spending too much on today’s market. While we don’t know what the actual pick is, we do know that it is a conditional 2022 pick thanks to The Athletic’s Corey Masisak (which was first reported by Kevin Weekes).

Editor’s Note: Bob McKenzie reports that the deal is for a conditional 4th-round pick that becomes a 3rd-round pick if the Oilers win a playoff round. It’s not a bad condition, so hopefully the Oilers win and the Devils get that 2022 3rd-round pick.

The details aren’t in, and that will obviously change the perception of the deal, but it makes sense for the Devils to push the pick to 2022 in a deal with the Oilers. They only have their 1st, 4th, two 6ths, and a 7th-round pick in this year’s NHL Draft. Outside the 1st (which wouldn’t be available), none of those picks are very appealing in a deal for Kulikov.

Kulikov is having a really good season for what he is. He was the best defenseman to pair with P.K. Subban since he was traded to New Jersey, and he is the first person to get positive contributions from the veteran. The Oilers are getting a player who can solidify the blue line without giving up too many good chances.

Tom Fitzgerald moved a pick that’s best could be a 4th rounder in a weak 2021 draft into a conditional pick that could be in a much better draft. Obviously, again, where the pick is could change the value of this trade completely.

Kulikov was well worth the one-year deal he got in the offseason. Ever since he overplayed his expectations, it always felt like he was going to be trade bait. The Devils sat him against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday night, so a trade felt in the works the entire time. Now, the Devils have to make good use of all these picks.