Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov joins the team’s injury list, the current Stanley Cup champion.
Panthers coach Paul Maurice announced that Kulikov will be out for five months due to shoulder surgery to repair a labrum tear, an injury suffered in the 2-1 victory over the Flyers.
The absence of Kulikov adds to the growing list of injuries the Panthers are facing in their attempt to achieve a historic three-peat, something not seen in the NHL since the New York Islanders from 1980 to 1983.
- Captain and star center Aleksander Barkov will be out for seven to nine months due to a knee injury.
- Star forward Matthew Tkachuk will be out until December, at the earliest, due to a groin injury.
- Tomas Nosek is also out with a long-term injury.
Kulikov’s return to the team could happen in mid-March, if the recovery progresses as planned.
Kulikov, who was selected by the Panthers in 2009, returned to the team at the start of the 2023-24 season. During the past season, he accumulated 20 points in 76 games, contributing to the team’s championship. In the previous season, he scored 13 points in 70 games, playing an average of more than 19 minutes per game, in another successful campaign that culminated in the second consecutive title.
Since his return, Kulikov ranks third on the team in shorthanded minutes played and fourth in total 5-on-5 minutes played, since the 2023-24 season, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Despite the losses, the Panthers maintain their main defensive group with Aaron Ekblad and Gustav Forsling on the first pairing, and Seth Jones and Niko Mikkola on the second. Uvis Balinskis and Jeff Petry complete the options on the third defensive pairing.
