Dmitry Kulikov, Panthers Defenseman, Joins Injured Reserve
Dmitry Kulikov, defenseman for the Florida Panthers, is the latest addition to the team’s injury list, two-time Stanley Cup champions.
Panthers coach Paul Maurice announced that Kulikov will be out for five months after undergoing shoulder surgery to repair a labrum tear he suffered in the 2-1 victory against the Flyers last Thursday, in the second game of the season.
Kulikov’s absence, which will last for five months, adds to the already extensive list of injuries that the Panthers are facing in their attempt to become the first team to win three consecutive titles since the New York Islanders achieved it between 1980 and 1983.
Since then, there have been six instances where teams have won the Stanley Cup consecutively, but have not achieved a third straight victory.
Among the injured players are captain and star center Aleksander Barkov, who will be out for seven to nine months due to a knee injury. In addition, star forward Matthew Tkachuk will be out until at least December due to a muscle tear in the adductor. Added to this is the long-term injury absence of forward Tomas Nosek.
The earliest possible date for Kulikov’s return to the Panthers’ lineup would be mid-March, if the recovery follows the planned course.
Kulikov, who was selected by the Panthers in 2009, returned to the team for a second stint at the start of the 2023-24 season. During that season, he accumulated 20 points in 76 games, averaging more than 16 minutes per game and helping the team win the first championship in its history. Last season, he scored 13 points in 70 games, averaging more than 19 minutes per game, in a campaign that culminated in winning their second consecutive title.
Since his return, Kulikov ranks third on the Panthers in shorthanded minutes played and fourth in total minutes played at 5-on-5, since the 2023-24 season, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Despite the losses, the Panthers still retain their core defensive group, with Aaron Ekblad and Gustav Forsling forming the first pairing, while Seth Jones and Niko Mikkola make up the second. Uvis Balinskis and Jeff Petry are shaping up as the third defensive pairing.
