The defenseman, who turns 30 on Oct. 29, scored 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in 51 games with the Winnipeg Jets last season and had two assists in four postseason games.
"Right from the beginning, New Jersey was at the top of my list," Kulikov said Friday. "I wanted to be in a city where I'm comfortable, where my family will be comfortable. there are some mutual friends that live in New Jersey. Then obviously looking at the team with the young core, young players, that we have now, it's an exciting time.
"Sometimes it happens fast and sometimes it takes a little longer, but I'm sure that with some guidance, they can really get there."
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Selected by the Florida Panthers in the first round (No. 14) of the 2009 NHL Draft, Kulikov has scored 170 points (35 goals, 135 assists) in 677 regular-season games with the Jets, Buffalo Sabres and Panthers and seven points (one goal, six assists) in 24 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
"Kulikov is an experienced, physical left-shot defenseman who skates well," Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald said. "His ability to play both the right and left side brings value to our defense corps."
Kulikov, second on the Jets with 77 blocked shots last season and fifth with 104 hits, said he's looking forward to adding those elements for New Jersey.
"I believe that any big defensive play can lift a team up in a way and give you a momentum as a big scoring chance or a big opportunity in the offensive zone," he said. "And a big save as well. So I think that these things can be overlooked. A blocked shot can be a huge momentum swing in the game. A big hit can be a huge momentum swing in the game, so I feel like I like that type of play and I'm excited to bring it every every time I play."
NHL.com Staff Writer Mike G. Morreale contributed to this report
