Report: Florida Panthers activated veteran Dmitry Kulikov off IR ahead of intense playoff push
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Hunter Bowman
Mar 1, 2026 (12:45)
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Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Head coach Paul Maurice finally gets veteran defenseman Dmitry Kulikov back in the lineup after a brutally long absence.
The Florida Panthers officially activated him off injured reserve this morning. He participated in the morning skate taking regular reps without a restrictive non-contact jersey.
He has not taken a live shift since the second game of the regular season back in October. That severe upper-body issue completely wrecked his early campaign.
The medical staff forced him into an agonizing, highly isolated five-month rehabilitation process. Missing that specific brand of heavy physicality leaves a glaring hole on any NHL blue line.
Relying strictly on inexperienced defensemen to absorb heavy defensive zone starts takes a quiet toll on the entire group. It forces top guys to play visibly fatigued minutes.
You desperately need his battle-tested grit to successfully navigate the grueling Eastern Conference gauntlet. He blocks heavy shots and wins massive puck battles along the wall.
Florida Panthers receive massive blue line boost
Sliding his reliable frame back into the bottom pairing instantly provides solid execution for a contending roster. He naturally sparks the quick transition game out of his own end.
Opposing forwards absolutely hate battling him in the dirty areas directly around the crease. He clears traffic efficiently and rarely gets caught wildly out of position.
Maurice strictly demands an aggressive defensive system built entirely on crisp passing and perfectly controlled entries through the neutral zone.
Adding a fully healthy, highly motivated body back into the fold for the final stretch run completely alters the internal dynamic of the locker room.
#FlaPanthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov has been activated off LTIR, per the NHL media site. Cole Schwindt is now on IR.
Panthers coach Paul Maurice told @JamesonCoop at morning skate today that Kulikov would be a game-time decision for tonight's game vs the Islanders
Panthers coach Paul Maurice told @JamesonCoop at morning skate today that Kulikov would be a game-time decision for tonight's game vs the Islanders
The dedicated training staff was extremely cautious with his physical progression over the last three weeks. They absolutely refused to rush a heavy veteran back before he was completely ready.
Now he is officially cleared for absolute full contact against opposing heavyweights. He took regular physicality in practice and looked completely normal taking bumps in the corners.
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