Veteran defenseman Dmitry Kulikov is out for five months after surgery, adding to the Florida Panthers’ extensive injury list that already includes star players Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, forcing the team to dig deep into its defensive pipeline just as the season begins.
The Florida Panthers, the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions, have been hit with another significant setback early in the season. Veteran defenseman Dmitry Kulikov will be sidelined for five months after undergoing surgery to repair a labral tear. Head coach Paul Maurice confirmed the timeline, which means Kulikov will likely be out until mid-March, a critical period for the Panthers as they navigate the rigorous NHL season.
The Critical Void Left by Kulikov
Kulikov’s injury occurred during the second period of Florida’s 2-1 win over Philadelphia on October 9, after a collision with Flyers forward Bobby Brink. The following day, he was placed on injured reserve, joining an unfortunate list of key players already sidelined. Coach Maurice highlighted Kulikov’s unique and valuable contributions to the team’s defensive corps.
“Dmitry is like some of the other players that we have out of the lineup; he is unique in his role,” Maurice stated. “Excellent penalty killer. Physical player in the five, six (spot on defense), but he can skate and close gaps. So, that’s the hole (to fill).” Maurice acknowledged the difficulty of replacing such players, emphasizing a collective effort: “You don’t replace these guys that you have out of the lineup. The weight doesn’t get heavier. You just have fewer guys to lift, right? So, everybody shares it.”
At 34 years old (turning 35 later this month), Kulikov had yet to record a point in two games this season. Throughout his extensive career, he has accumulated 247 points (50 goals, 197 assists) in 1,020 games across eight NHL teams, including being the 14th overall pick for the Panthers in the 2009 NHL Draft. His presence as a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Panthers underscores his experience and leadership. For more on Kulikov’s career statistics, you can visit his USA TODAY Sports player profile.
Next Men Up on the Blue Line
With Kulikov out, the Panthers will rely on their depth. A rotation of Uvis Balinskis and Tobias Bjornfot is expected to take his spot on the third defensive pairing. Balinskis, 29, is in his third season with Florida after a professional career in Europe. He played 76 games last season, notching four goals and 14 assists.
Maurice expressed confidence in Balinskis, remarking, “We have full expectation of Uvis playing the game that he’s capable of playing. He doesn’t get any room not to. But that’s a positive for us. We think we’re putting a guy in who’s very capable.” The Panthers also recalled Bjornfot from Charlotte of the American Hockey League and, in a strategic move on Wednesday, October 15, claimed defenseman Donovan Sebrango off waivers from the Ottawa Senators to bolster their defensive depth even further.
Panthers’ Injury Woes Deepen
Kulikov’s injury exacerbates an already dire situation for the Panthers, who have been battling a challenging start to the season marked by a string of high-profile injuries. The team’s captain, Aleksander Barkov, is expected to miss seven to nine months after undergoing surgery during training camp to repair his anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament. Details on Barkov’s injury can be found via Yahoo Sports.
Star winger Matthew Tkachuk is also on the mend, recovering from offseason surgery for a torn adductor muscle and is not expected to return until at least December. Additionally, fourth-liner Tomas Nosek has yet to play this season and is also considered a long-term absentee due to a knee injury. The severity of these injuries prompted Coach Maurice to quip, “We’re not allowing any short-term injuries this year,” highlighting the significant challenges facing the team.
A Season of Resilience for Florida
Despite the mounting injury list, the Panthers have shown flashes of resilience, opening the season with a 3-0 record before suffering losses. Their most recent defeat was a 4-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday, marking their second straight loss on a five-game road trip. This period of adversity will test the team’s depth and collective resolve, as Maurice suggested, with every player needing to elevate their game to cover for the missing stars.
Beyond Sunrise, FL: NHL Injury Roundup
The Panthers aren’t the only team dealing with significant roster changes. Here’s a quick look at other notable injury and roster news from around the NHL:
- New Jersey Devils Goalie Concerns: The Devils’ No. 1 goaltender, Jacob Markstrom, is out for two weeks with a lower-body injury. He finished Monday’s game despite being hurt, after starter Jake Allen experienced cramping. The team has called up goalie Nico Daws, while Allen is confirmed fit to play.
- Kings Face Goalie & Captain Woes: The Los Angeles Kings are dealing with lower-body injuries to both goalie Darcy Kuemper and captain Anze Kopitar, both listed as day-to-day. The Kings responded by trading for goalie Pheonix Copley, bringing him back to the team after losing him on waivers. Kopitar has also announced plans to retire after this season, adding another layer of narrative to the Kings’ season.
- Red Wings Lose Raymond Temporarily: The Detroit Red Wings’ top-line forward, Lucas Raymond, missed Wednesday’s game against the Panthers due to an upper-body injury and is considered day-to-day. Raymond, who had a strong start to the season with two goals and an assist in three games, is typically a durable player, having missed only eight games in his career.
- Foligno’s Personal Leave: Nick Foligno, captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, has taken a brief leave of absence from the team. This personal time is to support his 12-year-old daughter, Milana, as she undergoes follow-up surgery related to her congenital heart disease. Milana had her first heart procedure when she was just three weeks old, as reported by NHL.com.
The early part of the NHL season is proving to be a true test of depth and resilience for many teams, none more so than the Florida Panthers. As they await the return of key players, the “next man up” mentality will be crucial in maintaining their competitive edge and keeping their championship hopes alive.
