Dmitry Kulikov (ice hockey)

Dmitry Kulikov
Born	Dmitry Vladimirovich Kulikov (1990-10-29) October 29, 1990 Lipetsk, Russia
Occupation	Professional ice hockey defenceman
Years active	2007–present
Known for	Playing in the NHL for multiple teams; Stanley Cup champion (2024, 2025)

Dmitry Vladimirovich Kulikov (; born 29 October 1990) is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Florida Panthers in the National Hockey League (NHL). Selected 14th overall by the Panthers during the 2009 NHL entry draft, Kulikov's career has also included stints with the Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets, New Jersey Devils, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild, Anaheim Ducks, and Pittsburgh Penguins. He achieved back-to-back Stanley Cup championships with Florida in 2024 and 2025.

Junior

Kulikov launched his hockey journey in Russia, playing for Lokomotiv-2 Yaroslavl in the Pervaya Liga. In November 2008, he transitioned to North America to join the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). During his sole QMJHL season, he led all defencemen with 62 points over 57 games and garnered several honors, including the Emile Bouchard Trophy as Defenceman of the Year, the Raymond Lagacé Trophy recognizing the top Defensive Rookie, and the Mike Bossy Trophy awarded to the best professional prospect.

Professional

Following his impressive rookie campaign in the QMJHL, Kulikov was picked 14th overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and inked a professional contract on 29 September 2009.

Despite his young age, Kulikov appeared in 68 games during his inaugural NHL season (2009–10), demonstrating notable skill and poise. Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon expressed considerable confidence in his potential.

On 18 July 2014, Kulikov secured a three-year contract extension with Florida worth $13 million, averaging an annual salary of $4.3 million.

On 25 June 2016, he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres along with a second-round draft pick in exchange for defenceman Mark Pysyk and two additional draft selections. The 2016–17 season proved challenging due to injuries, restricting him to just 47 games and resulting in career lows of two goals and five points.

As a free agent on 1 July 2017, Kulikov signed a three-year deal valued at $12 million with the Winnipeg Jets.

Upon completion of his contract with Winnipeg, he agreed to a one-year, $1.15 million contract with the New Jersey Devils on 22 October 2020. During the pandemic-shortened season, Kulikov contributed two assists across 38 contests before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers on 12 April 2021 for a conditional fourth-round draft pick.

After entering free agency following his tenure with Edmonton, he signed a two-year contract worth $4.5 million with the Minnesota Wild on 28 July 2021.

Following one season in Minnesota, Kulikov was dealt to the Anaheim Ducks on 31 August 2022 for future considerations.

On 3 March 2023, Anaheim traded him to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Brock McGinn and a third-round selection in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.

After becoming a free agent from Pittsburgh, Kulikov returned to Florida by signing a one-year contract worth $1 million for the upcoming season on 1 July 2023. Subsequent to capturing the Stanley Cup with the Panthers, he secured a four-year extension to continue with the organization.

International play

Kulikov has represented Russia at multiple international levels, participating in two Under-18 World Championships (2007 hosted in Finland and 2008 held in Russia) as well as competing at the junior level during the 2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2007–08	Lokomotiv–2 Yaroslavl	RUS.3		32	6	13	19	54		—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	Drummondville Voltigeurs	QMJHL		57	12	50	62	46		19	2	17	19	16
2009–10	Florida Panthers	NHL		68	3	13	16	32		—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Florida Panthers	NHL		72	6	20	26	45		—	—	—	—	—
2011–12	Florida Panthers	NHL		58	4	24	28	36		7	0	1	1	4
2012–13	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl	KHL		22	3	3	6	28		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Florida Panthers	NHL		34	3	7	10	22		—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Florida Panthers	NHL		(81)	8	(11)	(19)	(66)		—	—	—	—
2014–15	Florida Panthers	NHL		73	3	19	22	48		—	—	—	—	—
2015–16	Florida Panthers	NHL		74	1	16	17	51		6	1	3	4	4
2016–17	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		47	2	3	5	26		—	—	—	—	—
2017–18	Winnipeg Jets	NHL		62	3	8	11	22		1	0	0	0	2
2018–19	Winnipeg Jets	NHL		57	0	6	6	47		6	0	0	0	4
2019–20	Winnipeg Jets	NHL		51	2	8	10	32		4	0	2	2	4
2020–21	New Jersey Devils	NHL		38	0	2	2	26		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		10	0	2	2	2		3	0	0	0	0
2021–22	Minnesota Wild	NHL		80	7	17	24	39		2	0	1	1	2
2022–23	Anaheim Ducks	NHL		61	3	12	15	30		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		6	0	1	1	4		—	—	—	—		—
2023–24		Florida Panthers			NHL		76			1		19		20		63		24		0		2		2		16
2024–25		Florida Panthers			NHL		70			4		9		13		38		23		2		3		5		14
NHL totals				1,018	50	197	247	629		76	3	12	15	50

International

Year	Team	Tournament	Outcome		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2007	Russia	U18	Template:Gold1		7	0	4	4	6
2007	Russia	IH18	Template:Bronze3		4	0	0	0	31
2008	Russia	U18	Template:Silver2		6	0	2	2	6
2009	Russia	WJC	Template:Bronze3		7	0	4	4	4
2010	Russia	WC	Template:Silver2		9	0	2	2	8
2011	Russia	WC	4th place		9	2	1	3	4
2015	Russia	WC	Template:Silver2		10	0	2	2	8
2016	Russia	WCH	Finished fourth		4	0	0	0	0
Junior career totals					24	0	10	10	47
Senior career totals					32	2	5	7	20

Awards and honours

Award	Year
National Hockey League (NHL)
Stanley Cup winner	"2024, 2025"