Dmitry Kulikov's looming return could change everything for the Panthers blue line
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Bruce Raymond
Mar 1, 2026 (5:31 PM)
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Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Dmitry Kulikov might finally be back, and Florida Panthers fans can feel the urgency with the playoff chase tightening fast.
Paul Maurice called Kulikov a game-day decision for Sunday night at the New York Islanders.
That alone is a jolt, because Kulikov has not played since Oct. 9 after getting hurt in Game 2.
A return after that long is never smooth. Even a «limited» Kulikov changes how this blue line can be used.
There's also fresh concern with Uvis Balinskis, who is day to day after leaving Friday's loss to Buffalo.
Here's the big tell, Florida activated Kulikov off LTIR and still labeled him a game-time decision.
https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-status-report-news-and-notes-march-1-2026n
That sounds like a player who passed real checkpoints, not just a «maybe soon» update.
That sounds like a player who passed real checkpoints, not just a «maybe soon» update.
Seth Jones being on the ice in a regular jersey at morning skate matters too.
He has been out since the 2026 Winter Classic on Jan. 2 with an upper-body injury.
Dmitry Kulikov gives the Florida Panthers a real option
Panthers fans have been living in the «who's even healthy?» era, so any legit reinforcement feels like oxygen right now.
If Kulikov plays, the trick is simple: fewer emergency minutes for depth defenders, cleaner pairings, and a steadier first pass under pressure.
He also helps the penalty kill, which has missed that calm veteran stick when shifts get messy in the slot.
If Balinskis can't go, Kulikov's timing becomes huge, because you do not want to patchwork two spots on the back end in the same game.
Sunday is a gut-check road game, and this feels like the kind of lineup swing that can decide whether the Cats leave Long Island with points.
Also read on Sunrise Hockey Insider :
Report: Florida Panthers activated veteran Dmitry Kulikov off IR ahead of intense playoff push
Report: Florida Panthers activated veteran Dmitry Kulikov off IR ahead of intense playoff push