Kulikov will be eligible to play Sunday against Philadelphia after serving his two-game suspension.
Kulikov received a two-game ban for an illegal check to the head on Tampa Bay's Conor Sheary on March 16. The 33-year-old Kulikov has collected 16 assists, 61 shots on goal, 70 blocked shots and 121 hits in 64 contests this campaign. With Aaron Ekblad (lower body) unavailable and Gustav Forsling (illness) questionable for Sunday's matchup, Kulikov could replace Tobias Bjornfot in the lineup.
Kulikov was suspended for two games by the NHL Department of Player Safety on Monday for an illegal check to the head on Tampa Bay's Conor Sheary during Saturday's contest.
Kulikov will be eligible to return to the lineup Sunday against Philadelphia. He picked up a match penalty for the hit at the 3:38 mark of the second period in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Lightning. Kulikov has generated 16 assists, 61 shots on goal, 70 blocked shots and 121 hits in 64 contests this campaign. Tobias Bjornfot will probably replace Kulikov in the lineup Thursday versus Nashville.
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Panthers' Dmitry Kulikov: Having a hearing
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Kulikov will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Monday for an illegal check to the head against Tampa Bay's Conor Sheary on Saturday.
Kulikov was assessed a match penalty for the hit at the 3:38 mark of the second period in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Lightning. He has accumulated 16 assists, 59 PIM, 61 shots on goal, 70 blocked shots and 121 hits in 64 contests this campaign.
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Panthers' Dmitry Kulikov: Ready to return Wednesday
Rotowire
Kulikov (undisclosed) is good to return Wednesday versus Detroit.
Kulikov didn't play in Monday's 5-4 overtime loss to Anaheim because of the injury. He has 10 assists in 39 contests in 2023-24. With Kulikov back, Josh Mahura might be a healthy scratch Wednesday.
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Panthers' Dmitry Kulikov: Won't play Monday
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Kulikov (undisclosed) won't play Monday against Anaheim, according to Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.
Kulikov has accounted for 10 assists, 39 shots on goal, 50 blocked shots and 51 hits in 39 games this season. He will be replaced in the lineup by Josh Mahura.
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Panthers' Dmitry Kulikov: Game-time call Monday
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Kulikov (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision Monday against Anaheim, Colby Guy of Florida Hockey Now reports.
It's unclear exactly what's ailing Kulikov, but the 33-year-old defenseman played just 13:49 in a loss to the Devils on Saturday. Kulikov has 10 points, all assists, through 39 games in his return to the Panthers this season. Josh Mahura would likely slot onto Florida's third pairing if Kulikov ultimately can't suit up.
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Panthers' Dmitry Kulikov: Slides helper in loss
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Kulikov managed an assist in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Blues.
Kulikov's first run with the Panthers between 2010-15 resulted in him averaging more than 20 minutes of ice time per game, including action on the power play, but nowadays, he's on the third defensive pair and not tasked with doing anything on the man advantage. The 33-year-old has yet to score this season, though he does have nine helpers, 38 blocked shots and 41 hits.
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Panthers' Dmitry Kulikov: Good to go Saturday
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Kulikov (illness) is expected to play Saturday against the Kraken, Katie Engleson of Bally Sports Florida reports.
Kulikov was reported to be a game-time decision while battling an illness, though it appears he'll be good to go Saturday against Seattle. The 32-year-old blueliner has three assists in his first six games with Florida this season while averaging 20:13 of ice time.
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Panthers' Dmitry Kulikov: Dealing with illness
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Kulikov is dealing with an illness and will be a game-time decision against Seattle on Saturday, Colby Guy of Florida Hockey Now reports.
Kulikov is not exactly known as an offensive powerhouse -- he's reached the 20-point threshold just once in the last eight seasons -- but he's off to a strong start with three helpers in six games. If the blueliner is unable to play versus the Kraken, Mike Reilly could be in line to make his season debut for the Panthers.
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Panthers' Dmitry Kulikov: Snags assist in win
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Kulikov registered an assist in a 4-3 victory over the Devils on Monday.
Kulikov has points in back-to-back games already this season, a feat he accomplished just once last year. While the 32-year-old defenseman could be thrust into a more offensively-minded role with both Aaron Ekblad (shoulder) and Brandon Montour (shoulder) out long-term, the fact is Kulikov has just one 20-plus point campaign in the last eight seasons and has never managed to get to the 30-point mark in his 15-year career.
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Panthers' Dmitry Kulikov: Reunites with Panthers
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Kulikov signed a one-year contract with Florida on Saturday.
Kulikov totaled three goals, 16 points, 108 blocked shots and 96 hits in 67 games between Anaheim and Pittsburgh last season. He spent the first seven seasons of his NHL career with the Panthers. Kulikov will compete for playing time in 2023-24 with fellow Florida newcomers Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Niko Mikkola and Mike Reilly.
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Penguins' Dmitry Kulikov: Removed from LTIR
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Kulikov (lower body) was activated from long-term injured reserve Tuesday, according to the NHL media site.
Kulikov appears to be ready to return to the lineup Tuesday against Chicago. He has posted one assist, two shots on goal, four blocked shots and six hits in four games with Pittsburgh since being acquired from Anaheim. Kulikov last played March 12 versus the Rangers.
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Penguins' Dmitry Kulikov: Game-time call
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Kulikov (lower body) will be a game-time decision for Tuesday's matchup with Chicago.
Kulikov's status against the Blackhawks presumably won't be confirmed until Pittsburgh takes the ice for pregame warmups. He's picked up 16 points through 65 appearances split between the Ducks and the Penguins this season.
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Penguins' Dmitry Kulikov: Getting closer to return
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Kulikov (lower body) is progressing in his recovery and could return sooner rather than later after coach Mike Sullivan told reporters Tuesday, "The fact that all these guys are on the ice, traveling with us, it just suggests that they're that much closer to returning to the lineup," per Pens Inside Scoop.
Following his trade-deadline move, Kulikov played in just four games with the Penguins before sustaining his lower-body injury. The 32-year-old blueliner shouldn't be expected to offer much in the way of fantasy value given his limited offensive upside once cleared to return.
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Penguins' Dmitry Kulikov: Designated for injured reserve
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Kulikov (lower body) was placed on long-term injured reserve Wednesday.
Kulikov is already considered week-to-week due to his lower-body injury but the fact that he is LTIR will rule him out until at least early April. In his four games with the Pens, the 32-year-old blueliner managed one assist, two shots and six hits while averaging 12:40 of ice time. In his stead, Pierre-Olivier Joseph figures to serve as a bottom-pairing defenseman.
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Penguins' Dmitry Kulikov: Considered week-to-week
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Kulikov (lower body) was labeled week-to-week by coach Mike Sullivan on Tuesday, Wes Crosby of NHL.com reports.
Kulikov joins fellow trade deadline acquisition Nick Bonino (abdomen) on the shelf with longer-term problems. With Kulikov sidelined, youngster Pierre-Olivier Joseph will step back into the lineup after being a healthy scratch for the previous three games. Once given the green light to return, the 32-year-old Kulikov should be in contention to reclaim his place in the lineup.
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Penguins' Dmitry Kulikov: injured Sunday
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Kulikov left Sunday's game against the Rangers with a lower-body injury, Rob Rossi of The Athletic reports.
Kulikov left the game after logging just 8:13 of ice time. He's being evaluated after Sunday's game and the team will likely have an update before Tuesday's tilt with Montreal.
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Penguins' Dmitry Kulikov: Will not play Saturday
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Kulikov will not be in Pittsburgh's lineup versus Florida on Saturday, Penguins Inside Scoop reports.
Kulikov was dealt from Anaheim on Friday and according to coach Mike Sullivan, "Logistically, it wasn't going to work, so he's going to meet us in Pittsburgh." Kulikov will practice with the Penguins on Monday and is expected to play against Columbus on Tuesday. Kulikov had three goals, 12 assists, 103 blocked shots and 87 hits in 61 games before the trade.
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Penguins' Dmitry Kulikov: Dealt to Pittsburgh
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The Penguins acquired Kulikov (not injury related) from the Ducks in exchange for Brock McGinn and a third-round pick in 2023 on Friday, according to RDS.ca.
Kulikov was a healthy scratch Wednesday as the Ducks did not want to risk the chance of an injury. The defensive-minded defenseman has 103 blocks and 87 hits in addition to three goals and 12 assists in 61 games this season. He should fill an important role as a third-pairing blueliner for Pittsburgh.
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Ducks' Dmitry Kulikov: Won't be in lineup vs. Capitals
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Kulikov will be a healthy scratch Wednesday versus Washington for trade-related reasons, according to Lisa Dillman of The Orange County Register.
Kulikov has three goals, 15 points, 87 hits and 103 blocks in 61 contests in 2022-23. He has been held off the scoresheet in three of his last four outings. Colton White might draw back into the lineup Wednesday after being a healthy scratch in Anaheim's last two contests.
