Kulikov was selected by Florida in the first round of the 2009 NHL Draft
The Florida Panthers were busy on the opening day of free agency, signing a plethora of players at multiple positions.
Included in the mix of new Cats in the clubhouse is a familiar face, one Panthers fans will be quite familiar with.
Florida signed defenseman and former Panthers first-round pick Dmitry Kulikov to a one-year deal worth $1 million.
Kulikov, who will turn 33 in October, was drafted by Florida all the way back in 2009 and will be entering 15th season in the NHL.
He spent his first seven seasons with the Panthers before being part of a draft day trade to the Buffalo Sabres along with a draft pick in exchange for Mark Pysyk and a pair of picks.
Florida General Manager Bill Zito said Kulikov was excited to return to South Florida, where he still has a home, and spoke about the veteran’s versatility.
“He is another guy who wanted to come back and be part of this,” said Zito. “It just seems if you look at his game, everywhere he goes, he can play with different types of players, he can play with in different situations, he's a fit man, he skates good…there's so many elements to what he does. And then as I talked to people like Roberto (Luongo), you find out this guy is a good teammate. He’s a pretty good guy.”
Kulikov has played for seven different teams in the seven years since he was traded to Buffalo.
He’s done a good job developing his shot-blocking ability and isn’t afraid to throw his body around.
As Zito put it, Kulikov “can do a little bit of everything.”
“We're appreciative too that he wanted to come, and that he was willing to commit,” Zito said.
Kulikov wore jersey No. 7 during his original tour with the Panthers, and with free agent Radko Gudas signing a 3-year, $12 million deal with the Anaheim Ducks, that number is conveniently available.