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• Panthers' Dmitry Kulikov: Will miss approximately five months

  10/15/2025 • By RotoWire

  Kulikov underwent surgery for his upper-body injury and is expected to be shelved for at least five months, Sean Shapiro of DLLS Sports reports Wednesday. Kulikov's extended absence is another significant injury blow to a Panthers team that is already missing forwards Aleksander Barkov (knee) and Matthew Tkachuk (groin). At this point, the veteran Kulikov could be out of the lineup until mid-March. With Kulikov unavailable for the last two games, Uvis Balinskis has been skating on the third pairing.

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• Panthers' Dmitry Kulikov: Heads to injured reserve

  10/11/2025 • By RotoWire

  Kulikov (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Friday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports. Kulikov was injured Thursday versus the Flyers and will now miss at least a week. Uvis Balinskis is slated to take Kulikov's place in the lineup initially. A corresponding roster move hasn't been made yet, and it's possible the Panthers will opt not to fill the spot to maintain some flexibility for now.

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• Panthers' Dmitry Kulikov: Exits with injury

  10/10/2025 • By RotoWire

  Kulikov (upper body) won't return to Thursday's game versus the Flyers, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports. Kulikov was injured during the second period after getting hit into the boards. If he is forced to miss any time, Uvis Balinskis would enter the lineup. Kulikov's status for Saturday versus the Senators is uncertain.

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• Panthers' Dmitry Kulikov: Nets goal in Game 2

  06/07/2025 • By RotoWire

  Kulikov scored a goal on three shots, added five hits, blocked two shots and went plus-2 in Friday's 5-4 double-overtime win over the Oilers in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Kulikov snapped an eight-game point drought dating back to his goal in Game 5 of the second round versus the Maple Leafs. The 34-year-old Kulikov has been confined to a third-pairing role, though he's seen plenty of ice time with the first two games versus the Oilers going to overtime. The defenseman has two goals, three helpers, 19 shots on net, 73 hits, 17 blocked shots and a plus-3 rating over 19 playoff outings.

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• Panthers' Dmitry Kulikov: Provides helper Tuesday

  04/23/2025 • By RotoWire

  Kulikov notched an assist and five hits in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Lightning in Game 1. This was Kulikov's third game back after he missed 12 contests due to an upper-body injury. The 34-year-old defenseman is once again in a top-four role, though he could see a slight drop in minutes once Aaron Ekblad (suspension) comes back for Saturday's Game 3. Kulikov is a reliable shutdown defender, and he earned 13 points, 114 hits, 71 blocked shots and a plus-12 rating over 70 regular-season appearances.

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