2 Defensemen Finished With Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks have jumped on the 'trade-related reasons' boat and will be sitting a couple of players this week. Two defensemen to be specific, as John Klingberg and Dmitry Kulikov will both not dress in the Ducks game on Wednesday.

Anaheim is not dressing defencemen John Klingberg and Dmitry Kulikov tonight for TRR.

Carolina, looking for a defenseman, and in on Chychrun, is also interested in Klingberg.

— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) March 1, 2023

Both blueliners are pending unrestricted free agents and will be moved before the Friday afternoon deadline. Klingberg, 30, is owed $7 million against the cap this season and has recorded 24 points in 50 games with the Ducks. He signed last summer and many felt the one-year deal was a clear implication he'd be moved by the deadline this season. While his numbers aren't what we normally expect, Klingberg has PP1 skills and can contribute to a contender offensively.

Two insane graphs:

On the left, Anaheim compared to the rest of the NHL.

On the right, John Klingberg compared to the rest of the NHL's defencemen. pic.twitter.com/XG6OndYC1s

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 1, 2023

Kulikov on the other hand is a defensive defenseman who can impact the game in many ways. He's the much cheaper option of the two at only $2.2 million against the cap and in 61 games has recorded 15 points. He holds an eight-team no-trade clause. Klingberg on the other hand has given the Ducks 10 teams he'd approve a trade to.

Photo credit:  Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sport