The Florida Panthers have activated veteran defenseman Dmitry Kulikov from injured reserve ahead of their upcoming matchup against the New York Islanders on Sunday, while placing forward Cole Schwindt on IR. Kulikov’s return marks a key roster change as the team navigates a challenging season.
Kulikov’s Return After Early-Season Injury
Dmitry Kulikov, 35, was sidelined after sustaining an injury in just the second game of the season. A longtime Panther, Kulikov originally joined Florida in 2009–10 and later returned for a second stint. This season, he has participated in only two games without recording any points. Last year, Kulikov played 70 games, tallying 13 points and reaching the milestone of 1,000 games played in his career.
Schwindt Placed on Injured Reserve
Cole Schwindt, now in his fourth NHL season, has been placed on injured reserve. Schwindt has contributed four points in 22 games this year and 12 points across 71 career appearances. Like Kulikov, Schwindt previously played for the Panthers before being brought back this offseason.
Florida’s Ongoing Injury Struggles
The Panthers have faced significant injury challenges this season, impacting their lineup consistency. Notably, captain Aleksander Barkov has missed the entire year due to a knee injury, and star forward Matthew Tkachuk only returned to play after the start of the new year. The team’s depth and performance have been tested as they manage these absences.
