The Florida Panthers Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov is the latest member of the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions to suffer a long-term injury. Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice said Wednesday that Kulikov will be out for five months after having shoulder surgery to repair a labrum tear that he sustained in their 2-1 win over the Flyers last Thursday in just their second game of the season.
Florida Panthers Kulikov Out 5 Months
The Florida Panthers are suffering major injuries this season, starting before the season. Forward Matthew Tkachuk is out until December, and Captain Aleksander Barkov is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. The injuries are piling up for the reigning champions. The earliest Kulikov could return to the Panthers’ lineup would be mid-March, should the timeline with his prognosis hold.
The loss of Kulikov for the Panthers puts a slight deflating spirit in their mission to become the first team to win three straight titles since the New York Islanders, who won four straight titles from 1980 to 1983.
Defenseman Uvis Balinskis will replace Kulikov for Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings, and Defenseman Tobias Bjornfot was recalled from Charlotte of the American Hockey League on Sunday. The Panthers will miss the excellent penalty killer and the physical player that Kulikov brings to the Panthers. His ability to skate and close gaps is a hole in the Florida Panthers’ defense.
Uvis is a veteran player who’s played for Florida, 76 games played last season. Balinskis knows the system of the Panthers. They must replace these players so the weight of the moi
Ahead For the Florida Panthers
The Panthers are on a five-game road trip. They lost their first game of the season to the Flyers Monday night, and they will take on the Red Wings Wednesday night. The Panthers have been without Kulikov for a few games now and are managing without him. However, five months without him back is a long road to recovery for Kulikov and the Florida Panthers.
