The Florida Panthers will not be able to re-sign restricted free agent Dmitry Kulikov until the CBA is ratified. That should happen Saturday morning. "We're still talking," Panthers GM Dale Tallon said. "We want him in our lineup and we're doing everything in our power to get him here. We've talked to his agent the past three days. We're on top of it." He had four goals and 28 points in 58 games last season. He also had six points and 28 penalty minutes in 22 KHL contests during the lockout.

Dmitry Kulikov still needs a new contract from the Florida Panthers. He began the lockout as a restricted free agent after completing the final year of his entry-level deal in 2011-12. Kulikov was sidetracked by a minor knee surgery last season, but he still managed to post 28 points in 58 games. During the lockout he suited up in 22 games with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the KHL, where he produced six points and finished with a minus-8 rating.

Dmitry Kulikov potted two goals, including the game winner in overtime, to give Lokomotiv a 4-3 triumph over Yekaterinburg on Wednesday. The Florida rearguard has four points in eight KHL appearances. Columbus center Artem Anisimov, who also plays for Yaroslavl, collected an assist in the match, while former Anaheim Ducks forward Niklas Hagman finished with a goal and a helper.

Dmitry Kulikov collected an assist in a 3-2 loss for Lokomotiv in a KHL game against HC Yugra on Wednesday. He has generated a point in each of his past two games after failing to score in his first three contests back in Russia. The 21-year-old native of Lipetsk has averaged over 20 minutes of ice time in the KHL and he should get plenty of ice time in Florida when the NHL resumes action.

Dmitry Kulikov notched his first KHL point in Lokomotiv's 4-2 win over Barys Astana. His first goal snapped a three-game pointless skid. Mark Flood ended up with the game-winning goal, while Artem Anisimov had a helper in the contest.

Dmitry Kulikov is set to play for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the KHL for the duration of the lockout. The 21-year-old Russian native is quickly developing into one of the best blueliners in the NHL and a solid fantasy option in all formats.

Dmitry Kulikov says it's likely he'll be heading to Russia by next week. The Russian defenseman amassed 28 points in 58 games last season for the Panthers. "My agent is in negotiations and we're close,'' Kulikov said. "I just want to play. Sitting around, that's not for me.''

While Dmitry Kulikov remains unsigned, he hopes to get a deal done soon after the lockout ends. "I was hoping to sign my deal pretty quick, as soon as the season was over," said Kulikov, who is entertaining playing in Russia during a lockout. "It doesn't concern me that it's taken this long." He also shot down rumors that he'd prefer to play in Russia than the NHL once the season starts. "There has never been a thought in my head that I would leave Florida. Never," Kulikov said. "I don't want to leave the NHL to play in Russia just because I don't have a deal. Anything can be discussed on both of our parts."

Dmitry Kulikov might have to wait until after the CBA negotiations to get a new contract with the Florida Panthers. Kulikov is a restricted free agent and the current CBA is set to expire on Saturday. He might play in the KHL if there's a lockout.

Dmitry Kulikov remains the lone outstanding unsigned player for the Panthers. The restricted free agent has yet to come to terms with the club on a new deal, as the Panthers currently have about $54 million committed to salaries for the 2012-13 season. With talk that the new cap number may be in the area of $58 million, Florida appears to be one of the few teams that wouldn't have to shed salary.