NHL Trade Rumors: Dmitry Kulikov to Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins are in trade talks with several teams to improve their blueline. According to a NHL source, the Bruins are targeting Dmitry Kulikov of the Florida Panthers.

Kulikov is a top 4 defenseman, who is 25 years old. He has one season remaining on his $4.3 million cap hit contract. He scored 1 goal and 17 assists in 74 games last season. Bruins GM Don Sweeney said finding a transitional defenseman is at the top of his priority list.

We’ve got [defensemen] pieces in place that will hopefully push the group that we currently have and that’s what you want. You want that internal competition that players feel like they better perform. But we’re also looking outside the marketplace because we need to continue to transition the puck better.

The Panthers want Boston’s 29th pick in the first round of the 2016 draft and a prospect in return for Dmitry Kulikov.