Dmitry
Kulikov
D · FLA · Limited · Very poor
- PAL
- 11
- WAR
- -0.3
- Value
- 20
- PTS
- 0
2025-26№ 284 / 325
Dmitry Kulikov (Florida Panthers) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Dmitry Kulikov
HEIGHT : 185 cm · WEIGHT : 96 kg · SHOOTS : L
Born : October 28, 1990 · Lipetsk, Russia
Drafted : 2009 · FLA · round 1, pick #14
Contract : $1,150,000 · 2024-25 → 2027-28 · Standard Contract · UFA · Signing bonus $400,000
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | Florida Panthers | 17 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 16 |
| 2025-26 | Florida Panthers | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 2024-25 | Florida Panthers | 70 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 38 |
| 2023-24 | Florida Panthers | 76 | 1 | 19 | 20 | 63 |
| 2022-23 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 2022-23 | Anaheim Ducks | 61 | 3 | 12 | 15 | 30 |
| 2021-22 | Minnesota Wild | 80 | 7 | 17 | 24 | 39 |
| 2020-21 | Edmonton Oilers | 10 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 2020-21 | New Jersey Devils | 38 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 26 |
| 2019-20 | Winnipeg Jets | 51 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 32 |
| 2018-19 | Winnipeg Jets | 57 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 47 |
| 2017-18 | Winnipeg Jets | 62 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 22 |
| 2016-17 | Buffalo Sabres | 47 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 26 |
| 2015-16 | Florida Panthers | 74 | 1 | 16 | 17 | 51 |
| 2014-15 | Florida Panthers | 73 | 3 | 19 | 22 | 48 |
| 2013-14 | Florida Panthers | 81 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 66 |
| 2012-13 | Florida Panthers | 34 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 22 |
| 2011-12 | Florida Panthers | 58 | 4 | 24 | 28 | 36 |
| 2010-11 | Florida Panthers | 72 | 6 | 20 | 26 | 45 |
| 2009-10 | Florida Panthers | 68 | 3 | 13 | 16 | 32 |
| NHL totals | 1054 | 50 | 199 | 249 | 655 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | Florida Panthers | 23 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 14 |
| 2023-24 | Florida Panthers | 24 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 16 |
| 2021-22 | Minnesota Wild | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2020-21 | Edmonton Oilers | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019-20 | Winnipeg Jets | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 2018-19 | Winnipeg Jets | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2017-18 | Winnipeg Jets | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2015-16 | Florida Panthers | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| 2011-12 | Florida Panthers | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Playoff totals | 76 | 3 | 12 | 15 | 50 | |
Honours
- 🏆 Stanley Cup2 times · 2024-25, 2023-24
Dmitry Kulikov: our analysis
2025-26 season: 19 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS, -5 +/-, 18:02 TOI. WAR -0.3 (284th of 325) · PAL 11, very poor.
In 2025-26, Dmitry Kulikov, 36, posts a PAL Rating of 11 out of 100 (very poor), and his WAR of -0.3 ranks 284th among 325 regulars, in the bottom quarter.
His strengths: power play (66, above average). On the other hand, offense (2, among the weakest in the league) and creation (15, among the weakest in the league) hold him back.
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), no component is positive; the costliest: finishing (-0.7).
A marked decline: his PAL was 21 in 2024-25, against 11 now; his WAR went from -0.2 to -0.3.
Contract-wise, his Value score of 20 (very poor return) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Dmitry Kulikov's story
After starting with Lokomotiv‑2 Yaroslavl in Russia’s Pervaya Liga, Kulikov moved to North America in November 2008 to join the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the QMJHL. He produced a standout single season there, finishing as the leading scoring defenceman in the league and collecting several post‑season honours, which quickly raised his profile among NHL scouts. That junior campaign set the stage for his entry into the professional ranks.
Selected 14th overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Kulikov signed a pro contract with the club on 29 September 2009 and stepped directly into NHL action the following season. Despite his youth he appeared in nearly a full complement of games in 2009–10, earning the organization’s confidence. In 2014 he agreed to a three‑year, $13‑million extension with Florida.
His NHL journey has included several stops: he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres on 25 June 2016 and endured an injury‑marked 2016–17 campaign. Kulikov later signed with the Winnipeg Jets as a free agent in July 2017 for three years. Subsequent moves saw him wear New Jersey’s colours, then move to Edmonton at the 2021 trade deadline, sign with Minnesota, be traded to Anaheim, then to Pittsburgh. He chose to return to the Panthers as a free agent on 1 July 2023 with a one‑year deal, and after winning the Stanley Cup with Florida he committed to a multi‑year extension.
Internationally, Kulikov represented Russia at the under‑18 world championships in 2007 and 2008 and played at the 2009 World Junior Championship; he also featured in national team preparations in 2010. On the ice he is known for a reliable defensive game, steady positioning and the willingness to support the breakout rather than chase flashier offensive numbers — qualities that have kept him in NHL lineups for many seasons.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 14:56
- PP TOI/GP
- 0:01
- SH TOI/GP
- 0:51
- Pts/GP
- 0.12
- EV points
- 2
- Hits
- 21
- Blocks
- 10
- Takeaways
- 3
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 50.1 %
- Off. zone starts
- 29.7 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
8between 2 and 14 (80% range)
- Goals
- 1
- Assists
- 7
- Games
- 56
So far: 2 pts in 17 games. The team has played 18 of 84 games. Projected pace: 0.15 pts per game (last season: 0.00).
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
Trend
Slight decline
- Points per game: 0.26 in 23-24, 0.19 in 24-25
- PAL Rating: 21 → 11
Outlook, age included
↓ DecliningAge 35: the age when production usually declines
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
Player ratings, 2025-26
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
OV · OverallConfidence 81 %
56
Replacement or prospect
- SK
- Skating
- 61
- Confidence 73 %
- ST
- Strength
- 74
- Confidence 84 %
- EN
- Endurance
- 64
- Confidence 75 %
- DU
- Durability
- 62
- Confidence 77 %
- CK
- Checking
- 80
- Confidence 84 %
- FG
- Fighting
- 69
- Confidence 59 %
- DI
- Discipline
- 73
- Confidence 84 %
- FO
- Faceoffs
- —
- PA
- Passing
- 61
- Confidence 81 %
- SC
- Scoring
- 64
- Confidence 81 %
- DF
- Defense
- 70
- Confidence 78 %
- PS
- Penalty shot
- 76
- Confidence 0 %
- EX
- Experience
- 94
- Confidence 100 %
Why these ratings?Hide details
SK — Skating61
- Top speed (35 %)34.1 · 57
- Bursts > 20 mph /60 (30 %)1.253 · 64
- Distance /60 (20 %)14.4 · 80
- Speed consistency (15 %)33.1 · 57
ST — Strength74
- Contact absorbed /60 (50 %)4.551 · 70
- Body mass (50 %)0.513 · 77
EN — Endurance64
- Ice time per game (45 %)18.4 · 72
- Total ice time (20 %)339 · 35
- Shift length (15 %)44.4 · 63
- Lowest recent ice time per game (15 %)16.4 · 69
- Special-teams time per game (5 %)2.285 · 74
DU — Durability62
- Share of games played (100 %)0.711 · 62
CK — Checking80
- Hits /60 (70 %)4.763 · 83
- Lowest seasonal rate (20 %)3.73 · 80
- Season volume (10 %)3.136 · 63
FG — Fighting69
- Fights per 82 games (100 %)0.738 · 69
DI — Discipline73
- Net penalty value /60 (50 %)-0.045 · 73
- Penalties taken /60 (30 %)0.748 · 69
- Penalties drawn /60 (20 %)0.484 · 81
PA — Passing61
- Primary assists /60 (40 %)0.282 · 64
- Secondary assists /60 (20 %)0.306 · 59
- Offensive creation (RAPM) (20 %)-0.064 · 67
- Power-play points /60 (10 %)4.18 · 76
- Assist consistency (10 %)0.052 · 45
SC — Scoring64
- Goals /60 (25 %)0.147 · 63
- Individual xG /60 (20 %)0.175 · 69
- Finishing (goals − xG per shot) (20 %)0.034 · 67
- High-danger chances /60 (15 %)0.075 · 69
- xG per shot (10 %)0.034 · 75
- Shot attempts /60 (10 %)8.422 · 65
DF — Defense70
- RAPM defense /60 (35 %)-0.053 · 66
- Relative xG against (20 %)-0.048 · 78
- On-ice xG against /60 (15 %)2.578 · 77
- Penalty kill /60 (10 %)-0.266 · 56
- Takeaways − giveaways /60 (10 %)-1.848 · 78
- Shot attempts against /60 (5 %)58.5 · 73
- Blocked shots /60 (5 %)3.893 · 67
PS — Penalty shot76
- Shootouts (60 %)32.7 · 76
- Penalty shots (40 %)26.7 · 76
EX — Experience94
- Career regular-season games (65 %)98
- Career playoff games (25 %)82
- NHL seasons (10 %)98
OV — Overall56
- DF · Defense (30 %)70
- PA · Passing (22 %)61
- SK · Skating (12 %)61
- SC · Scoring (12 %)64
- EN · Endurance (9 %)64
- ST · Strength (6 %)74
- DI · Discipline (5 %)73
- CK · Checking (4 %)80
| Season | OV | SK | SC | DF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 56 | 61 | 64 | 70 |
| 2024-25 | 62 | 68 | 68 | 67 |
| 2023-24 | 65 | 74 | 60 | 64 |
| 2022-23 | 60 | 74 | 68 | 60 |
The bars show confidence (sample size), not player quality. — : not enough data, not a zero. Engine version 1.0.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
-0.3
wins above replacement
284 of 325
PAL Rating
11/ 100
Performance · Very poor
221 of 250 at the position
Value Rating
20/ 100
Very poor return
1.15 M$ · expected PAL 43
ProfileLimitedBelow average at both ends
- Offense
- 5
- Defense
- 32
See full detailsHide details
- Offense
- 2
- Creation
- 15
- Shooting
- 16
- Possession
- 27
- Defense
- 36
- Discipline
- 27
- Power play
- 66
- Penalty kill
- 48
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
| Season | Team | WAR | PAL | Value | Cap hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | FLA | -0.3 | 11 | 20 | 1.15 M$ |
| 2024-25 | FLA | -0.2 | 21 | 30 | 1.15 M$ |
| 2023-24 | FLA | -0.8 | 37 | 44 | 1.00 M$ |
| 2022-23 | PIT | -1.1 | 4 | 3 | 2.25 M$ |
Hockey IQ, 2025-26
Rankings and method →The quality of the player's decisions with and against the puck at 5-on-5, against regulars at the same position (50 = average). PAL measures output; IQ measures how the player plays.
Overall IQ
4/ 100
Low
better than 4% of defensemen, offense and defense combined
Offensive IQ
2/ 100
Low
passing, shots, puck
Defensive IQ
31/ 100
Below average
takeaways, discipline, own zone
Overall IQ isn't an average of the two scores: it's the player's rank with offense and defense combined, 215 of 225 defensemen.
See full detailsHide details
Offense
- Playmaking passes
- 7
- Shot selection
- 33
- Penalties drawn
- 33
- Puck management
- 1
Defense
- Takeaways
- 53
- Discipline
- 16
- Safe zone exits
- 51
Percentiles: 80 means better than 80% of regulars at the same position. Play without the puck (positioning, coverage) isn't measured: the NHL doesn't publish that data.
| Season | Team | IQ | Off. | Def. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | FLA | 4 | 2 | 31 |
| 2024-25 | FLA | 43 | 27 | 59 |
| 2023-24 | FLA | 55 | 85 | 25 |
| 2022-23 | PIT | 38 | 69 | 21 |
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
-0.3
wins above replacement
-0.5 to -0.2 — 90% interval
284 of 325 defensemen
-1.7 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- -0.6
- EV defense
- -0.4
- Power play
- 0.0
- Penalty kill
- -0.2
- Shooting
- -0.7
- Penalties
- -0.5
- Average → replacement
- +0.7
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | FLA | 19 | -0.3 | -0.5 to -0.2 | 284/325 |
| 2024-25 | FLA | 69 | -0.2 | -0.7 to 0.7 | 252/314 |
| 2023-24 | FLA | 76 | -0.8 | -1.4 to -0.3 | 301/316 |
| 2022-23 | PIT | 67 | -1.1 | -2.1 to -0.1 | 324/334 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 140.9 km/h51st percentileleague avg. 139.7 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 32.0 km/h7th percentileleague avg. 34.0 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 00th percentileleague avg. 8
- Offensive zone time
- 43.6 %79th percentileleague avg. 42.4 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 60.8 km47th percentileleague avg. 56.1 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 4.41 km28th percentileleague avg. 4.98 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 43.6 %73rd percentileleague avg. 42.8 %
- Neutral zone time
- 18.8 %85th percentileleague avg. 16.9 %
- Defensive zone time
- 37.5 %86th percentileleague avg. 40.8 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 726th percentile | 049th percentile | 0.0 %27th percentile |
| High danger | 051st percentile | 084th percentile | 0.0 %0th percentile |
| Mid range | 136th percentile | 073rd percentile | 0.0 %50th percentile |
| Long range | 543rd percentile | 077th percentile | 0.0 %67th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
WSH
CHI
DET
WPG
PIT
OTT
SEA
VAN
CBJ
BUF
MIN
LAK
ANA
SJS
CARDmitry Kulikov: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Dmitry Kulikov have in 2026-27?
Dmitry Kulikov has 0 goals and 2 points (2 assists) in 17 games in 2026-27.
How old is Dmitry Kulikov?
Dmitry Kulikov is 36 years old: he was born on October 29, 1990.
How tall is Dmitry Kulikov, and how much does he weigh?
Dmitry Kulikov is 6'1" (185 cm) and weighs 212 lb (96 kg).
Where is Dmitry Kulikov from?
Russia: Dmitry Kulikov was born in Lipetsk, Russia.
What team does Dmitry Kulikov play for?
Dmitry Kulikov plays for the Florida Panthers in the NHL, at D, wearing number 7.
Is Dmitry Kulikov injured?
No: Dmitry Kulikov is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Dmitry Kulikov?
Dmitry Kulikov produced -0.3 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 284th of 325 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 11 out of 100: very poor for his position.
How much does Dmitry Kulikov make?
Dmitry Kulikov earns $1.2M for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 20 out of 100 (very poor return): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Dmitry Kulikov's contract end?
Dmitry Kulikov's contract runs through the 2027-28 season; he will then be an unrestricted free agent.
Is Dmitry Kulikov overpaid?
Yes, his output falls short of what his salary should buy. His Value rating is 20 out of 100 (very poor return), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Dmitry Kulikov a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 284th of 325 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
Is Dmitry Kulikov getting better?
No, he is slipping: his PAL rating went from 21 in 2024-25 to 11 in 2025-26 (out of 100, 50 = average player at his position).
How has Dmitry Kulikov played lately?
Over his last 10 games, Dmitry Kulikov has 1 point (0 goals, 1 assist).
What are Dmitry Kulikov's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Dmitry Kulikov has 1,054 games, 50 goals, 199 assists and 249 points. His best season: 2011-12, with 28 points in 58 games.
Where was Dmitry Kulikov drafted?
Dmitry Kulikov was drafted 14th overall (round 1) by Florida Panthers in 2009.
Is Dmitry Kulikov better at home or on the road?
No real difference: in 2026-27, he averages 0.17 points per game at home (1 in 6 games) and 0.09 on the road (1 in 11 games).
How does Dmitry Kulikov perform in the playoffs?
In the playoffs, Dmitry Kulikov has 76 games and 15 points in his career. His pace (0.20 points per game) is similar to his regular-season pace (0.24).
Is Dmitry Kulikov a good fantasy pick?
Probably not, except in deep leagues: our projection has him at 8 points in 2026-27, or 0.14 points per game.
What is Dmitry Kulikov's nationality?
Dmitry Kulikov is Russian. Internationally: Russia — under-18 team at the 2007 and 2008 IIHF World U18 Championships; junior team at the 2009 World Junior Championship.
What awards has Dmitry Kulikov won?
Emile Bouchard Trophy (QMJHL Defenceman of the Year) ; Raymond Lagacé Trophy (QMJHL Defensive Rookie of the Year) ; Mike Bossy Trophy (QMJHL top professional prospect).
How many championships has Dmitry Kulikov won?
2: Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers — 2024; Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers — 2025.
Where did Dmitry Kulikov play before turning pro?
Lokomotiv-2 Yaroslavl (Pervaya Liga); signed with the Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL) in November 2008.
How many points is Dmitry Kulikov projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 8 points in 56 games in 2026-27 (2 to 14 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his Florida Panthers teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)