George Richards, FHN Publisher
Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov was hurt during the first period of Sunday night’s loss to the New York Islanders and did not return to the game.
Kulikov, playing on Florida’s second pairing these days with Niko Mikkola, appeared to injure his right wrist or forearm after colliding with Anthony Duclair at center ice.
He skated off while holding his right arm as if in a sling, going straight to the medical room.
Kulikov did not return to the game, leaving Florida with five defensemen in a third-period meltdown which led to a 4-2 loss.
Coach Paul Maurice said he did not have an update on Kulikov, saying he would be looked at the medical staff on Monday.
“He wasn’t feeling like he could finish the game,’’ Maurice said on Sunday night. “We’ll see how he is tomorrow.”
If Kulikov’s injury is serious, what can the Panthers do?
Florida is already without Aaron Ekblad through the first two games of the first round of the playoffs after he was suspended 20 games without pay for failing a drug test.
But with Ekblad’s salary cap hit not counting, the Panthers do have plenty of flexibility to call up not just one defenseman from AHL Charlotte, but two — or three, or four — if they so choose.
So, who could the Panthers bring in?
The first choice may be Toby Bjornfot who was called up when Ekblad was injured in January.
Maurice was high on his play before he was sent back after Ekblad returned.
Florida also has some players in Charlotte who have NHL experience including Jaycob Megna and Matt Kiersted.
If the Panthers want to see what one of their prospects can do at the NHL level, Mike Benning has six goals and 25 points in 43 games this season.
Benning, a fourth-round pick in 2020, is in his second pro season with the Checkers.
The Panthers are coming home from New York for a few days before flying to Columbus on Wednesday to continue this road trip.
So, they have a day or two to make any moves — if they need to replace Kulikov in the lineup.
Kulikov may just be good enough to go Thursday.
But, with Kulikov coming out and the Panthers only having six healthy defensemen on the roster, a move is more than likely coming.
ON DECK: GAME No. 69
FLORIDA PANTHERS at COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS