Penguins Acquiring D Dmitry Kulikov from Anaheim; McGinn to Ducks

The Pittsburgh Penguins are in the process of completing a deal to acquire defenseman Dmitry Kulikov from Anaheim.

A trade call with the league was still pending in early afternoon.

The Penguins are expected to give up winger Brock McGinn and a third-round draft choice in the exchange.

The inclusion of McGinn, who was assigned to the Penguins’ farm team in Wilkes-Barre a few days ago, opens the salary-cap space needed to take on Kulikov’s deal, although an unconfirmed report said the Ducks were retaining a portion of his salary.

McGinn has two years remaining on his contract, with a cap hit of $2.75 million.

Kulikov, 32, is 6-foot-1, 204 pounds. He is a left-handed shot who skates well and is considered a defensive defenseman.

He has three goals and 12 assists in 61 games with the Ducks this season.

Kulikov’s contract, which expires after this season, carries a salary-cap hit of $2.25 million.

Before joining the Ducks, Kulikov played for Florida, Buffalo, Winnipeg, New Jersey, Edmonton and Minnesota.

He has 45 goals, 168 assists and 524 penalty minutes in 866 NHL games.

This story will be updated.