HURRICANES ADD RUGGED D-MAN
Carolina
Prior to the draft, the Carolina Hurricanes made some team evaluations and felt they still lacked a blueliner with the physicality to put teams on edge. The Canes wasted little time in sending second year defender Brendan Bell to the Thrashers, along with highly touted prospect Andrej Sekera in exchange for Ilja Nikulin and a second round draft choice.
Nikulin, a rugged and aggressive defender, is primarily known for his commitment to the defensive side of things. Never to be mistaken for an offensive gunner, Nikulin seems to take pride in making life miserable for opposing forwards.
"He is very aggressive," said head coach Joel Quenneville. "He will straighten up forwards in a hurry and he is never shy to lay a punishing check."
Nikulin, who recently signed a long term extension, comes to the Canes as what is likely their third pairing, shut down guy.
"He loves to play hard in his own end and what we want from him is to be that guy. We felt we had the offensive side of things covered with Niinimaa and Klesla, and Phaneuf to a lesser degree, but we wanted the mean guy that no one likes. Ilja is that guy."
The Canes seemed to have rounded out there team with this latest move. All has been silent on the trade front since the draft so there could be a sign that the dust has settled.
Time will tell, but the Canes look poised to make a run at the coveted CLUTCH title.
Prior to the draft, the Carolina Hurricanes made some team evaluations and felt they still lacked a blueliner with the physicality to put teams on edge. The Canes wasted little time in sending second year defender Brendan Bell to the Thrashers, along with highly touted prospect Andrej Sekera in exchange for Ilja Nikulin and a second round draft choice.
Nikulin, a rugged and aggressive defender, is primarily known for his commitment to the defensive side of things. Never to be mistaken for an offensive gunner, Nikulin seems to take pride in making life miserable for opposing forwards.
"He is very aggressive," said head coach Joel Quenneville. "He will straighten up forwards in a hurry and he is never shy to lay a punishing check."
Nikulin, who recently signed a long term extension, comes to the Canes as what is likely their third pairing, shut down guy.
"He loves to play hard in his own end and what we want from him is to be that guy. We felt we had the offensive side of things covered with Niinimaa and Klesla, and Phaneuf to a lesser degree, but we wanted the mean guy that no one likes. Ilja is that guy."
The Canes seemed to have rounded out there team with this latest move. All has been silent on the trade front since the draft so there could be a sign that the dust has settled.
Time will tell, but the Canes look poised to make a run at the coveted CLUTCH title.
posted by Lohaus at 12:19 PM
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