Dmitry Kulikov, Panthers Defenseman, on Injured Reserve
Veteran defenseman Dmitry Kulikov, a key piece in the Florida Panthers’ defense during their recent campaigns for the Stanley Cup title, has been placed on the injured list indefinitely.
Kulikov, 34, suffered the injury in the second game of the season, in the 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday. During the match, he played 11 shifts, accumulating 7:47 minutes on the ice. After a collision with Flyers forward Bobby Brink in the second period, Kulikov left the ice holding his right wrist.
The move to the injured list was made official on Friday. On Saturday, after the morning skate prior to his team’s 6-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators, coach Paul Maurice informed the media that the veteran might require surgery.
The Panthers, who have had a promising start to the season with a 3-0-0 record, are already without their captain Aleksander Barkov, who underwent knee surgery last month, and forward Matthew Tkachuk, who will be out until at least December due to a lower body injury.
This is Kulikov’s second stint with the Panthers. Last season, he participated in 70 games, scoring four goals and accumulating 13 points.
