Panthers bring back Dmitry Kulikov on 4-year deal, per report
Dulikov was drafted in the first round by Florida all the way back in 2009
It looks like a veteran defenseman is going to be sticking around in South Florida for a while.
According to hockey insider Bob McKenzie, the Florida Panthers and Dmitry Kulikov agreed to terms on a new, four-year contract.
Per McKenzie, the terms of the deal come with an average annual value (AAV) of $1.15 million.
Kulikov was originally drafted by Florida in the first round of the 2009 NHL Draft.
He spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Panthers, and then the following seven playing for seven different teams.
Florida General Manager Bill Zito brought Kulikov back to the Cats last summer on a one-year deal worth $1 million.
Florida needed depth, with Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour set to miss some time at the start of last season.
Kulikov played very well for Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice, providing solid, consistent and extremely affordable defending.
That’s key as Florida will be looking to run it back with a championship contending team, but that grows difficult as players earn raises and move on to teams who can afford it.
Keeping the homegrown Kulikov with the Panthers on a reasonable deal works out well for all parties.
We’ll see what else Zito and his staff have up their sleeves as free agency day continues.
Florida has seen a pair of defenseman, Brandon Montour and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, as well as forward Kevin Stenlund and goaltender Anthony Stolarz, sign elsewhere on Monday.
Stay tuned.
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