Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov will be out for five months after shoulder surgery to repair a labrum tear, according to coach Paul Maurice. This injury comes at a critical time for the team, as they aim to become the first team to win three straight Stanley Cup titles since the New York Islanders in 1983. The Panthers have already faced a long list of injuries, including captain Aleksander Barkov's knee injury (out for 7-9 months), star forward Matthew Tkachuk's torn adductor muscle (out until December), and bottom-six forward Tomas Nosek's long-term injury. Despite these setbacks, the Panthers still have a strong defensive group, with Aaron Ekblad, Gustav Forsling, Seth Jones, and Niko Mikkola forming the top-four pairing. Uvis Balinskis and Jeff Petry are expected to provide depth on the third pairing. Kulikov, who returned to the team for the 2023-24 season, played a crucial role in their championship wins, averaging over 16 minutes per game and ranking third in short-handed minutes. His absence will be a significant challenge for the Panthers as they navigate their quest for a third consecutive Stanley Cup.
