Ex-Sabres Defender Thriving with Panthers

This former Sabre has become a key part of Florida's blue line.

During the 2023 NHL Offseason, the Florida Panthers quietly signed former Buffalo Sabres defenseman Dmitry Kulikov to a one-year, $1 million contract. This reunited Kulikov with the Panthers, as the left-shot defenseman spent his first seven seasons with the club before being dealt to Buffalo during the 2016 NHL Offseason.

Kulikov's time with the Sabres was short-lived and disappointing. Injury trouble limited him to only 47 games, where he had two goals, five points, and a minus-26 rating. That following offseason, he signed with the Winnipeg Jets, ending his time in Buffalo.

After leaving the Sabres, Kulikov became quite the journeyman, spending time with the Jets, New Jersey Devils, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild, Anaheim Ducks, Pittsburgh Penguins, and, of course, back with Florida. However, he has quietly been having his best year in awhile since rejoining the Cats.

In his second stint with the Panthers, Kulikov has become a big part of the blue line. In 76 games, the 6-foot-1 defender has one goal, 20 points, a plus-15 rating, and a career-high 145 hits. Overall, he has not only given them steady defensive play but also physicality and some offense.

Due to Kulikov's strong season with the Panthers, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman wrote in his most recent 32 Thoughts column that he believes the Panthers will get Kulikov extended because of his improved play. We will need to wait and see what happens on that front. 

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