While chances may still be slim, this team is making a push for the playoffs and is done rebuilding. Trading away UFA's is sending a message to the team and the fans that Murray is not concerned about making the playoffs this year. Getting 3rd round picks is only going to hurt the team now and more than likely will not pay off later. And somebody, like Kulikov who might net a slightly higher draft pick, is still important to the team right now. When your weakness is depth at defense, you don't trade Franson and/or Kulikov. And you certainly don't trade your team captain.
To answer the thread question, I don't know what Murray is going to do. I'm not even going to predict. I'm sure a lot will depend on the three games after the bye week.