Dmitry Kulikov D FLA Tue 10/11/16 5:50 PM
Dmitry Kulikov
D FLA
Kulikov (bruise) will dress for the team's opener Thursday against the Canadiens, John Vogl of The Buffalo News reports.
EDGE Analysis
Kulikov rejoined his teammates at practice Tuesday, foreshadowing his return to the lineup for the team's opener Thursday. The blueliner finished 2015 with just 17 points despite seeing some time on the power play and could see marginal improvement this season. However, he remains far from being a relevant fantasy blueliner in standard formats.
Dmitry Kulikov D FLA Tue 10/11/16 11:43 AM
Dmitry Kulikov
D FLA
Kulikov (butt bruise) returned to the ice for practice Tuesday.
EDGE Analysis
Kulikov had missed some recent practices but his presence at practice Monday puts him in a good position to be in the lineup for the team's opener Thursday against the Canadiens. The team should offer an official update on his status at some point prior to the tilt.
Dmitry Kulikov D FLA Mon 10/10/16 1:04 PM
Dmitry Kulikov
D FLA
Head coach Dan Bylsma said Kulikov (butt bruise) is "possible" for Tuesday's practice, The Buffalo News reports.
EDGE Analysis
Kulikov sustained the injury in a preseason game against Toronto, and it's not believed to be serious. He's considered day-to-day for now, but should be ready for the season opener Thursday. He's entrenched on the team's top-four and should provide a stabilizing presence on the blue line. However, his lack of offensive production renders him of little use in fantasy.
Dmitry Kulikov D FLA Sun 10/9/16 1:57 PM
Dmitry Kulikov
D FLA
Kulikov (back) skated with the Sabres on Sunday.
EDGE Analysis
This is a step in the right direction for the defenseman's recovery. There's no certainty, but this makes it seem like he might be ready to play by Thursday for Buffalo's season opener.
Dmitry Kulikov D FLA Mon 10/3/16 11:26 AM
Dmitry Kulikov
D FLA
Kulikov was not on the ice for Monday's practice, Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald reports.
EDGE Analysis
Kulikov suffered a bruised back injury Friday in a preseason game against Toronto. It's not believed to be serious, but his status for Tuesday's preseason game against Carolina is questionable. He should be ready to go once the season begins.
Dmitry Kulikov D FLA Sat 10/1/16 1:09 PM
Dmitry Kulikov
D FLA
Kulikov did not practice Saturday after suffering a bruised back Friday against Toronto, John Vogl of The Buffalo News reports.
EDGE Analysis
The injury is not believed to be serious and Kulikov's status remains day-to-day. There's little doubt he'll be ready for the start of the season, though with Rasmus Ristolainen still unsigned, it's unclear who Kulikov's defensive partner will be. The Russian defenseman is not known for his offensive prowess and doesn't deserve a roster spot in standard fantasy leagues.
Dmitry Kulikov D FLA Fri 9/30/16 10:11 PM
Dmitry Kulikov
D FLA
Kulikov sustained a bruised back during Friday's preseason game against Toronto, John Vogl of buffalonews.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
It's unclear at this point how the injury was sustained but it appears to be a very minor issue. Kulikov should be considered day-to-day for now until the team releases further details.
Dmitry Kulikov D FLA Fri 9/30/16 3:31 PM
Dmitry Kulikov
D FLA
Kulikov took part in the morning skate Friday and will dress against Toronto.
EDGE Analysis
Kulikov is expected to be a top-four, defense-first defenseman who will play a much bigger role in Buffalo than in Florida. He has just returned from the World Cup after playing for Team Russia, and should be able to jump right back into action despite missing the beginning of camp. Kulikov is expected to be paired with Rasmus Ristolainen on the top pairing, although Ristolainen remains without a contract at the moment. Kulikov's best feature is his steady, defensive play, so he remains marginally valuable commodity in fantasy. He has eclipsed the 20-point mark just three times in seven seasons in the NHL.
Dmitry Kulikov D FLA Sat 6/25/16 10:10 AM
Dmitry Kulikov
D FLA
Kulikov has been traded to the Sabres in exchange for Mark Pysk, reports Sportsnet. Draft picks were exchanged.
EDGE Analysis
Kulikov immediately helps stabilize the Buffalo blue line. The left-shot defender was the 14th pick in the 2009 NHL Draft. He put up 17 points in 74 games last season and is in the final year of a three-year, $13 million deal.
Dmitry Kulikov D FLA Tue 4/26/16 3:23 PM
Dmitry Kulikov
D FLA
Kulikov sprained his shoulder in the second period of Sunday's Game 6 against the Islanders, but the injury was not considered serious, George Richards of the Miami Herald reports.
EDGE Analysis
Per the report, Kulikov wouldn't have played had there been a Game 7. The Russian defenseman was serviceable when healthy, having notched 16 assists -- including six power-play tallies -- and a plus-8 rating in the regular season. Kulikov broke his nose and dealt with a lower-body injury this campaign, causing him to miss eight games. Despite being in the NHL for seven years, he's yet to play out all 82 games of a regular-season schedule.