Panthers re-sign kulikov to three-year, $13m deal

[jesters91]

The Florida Panthers have re-signed defenceman Dmitry Kulikov to a three-year deal worth a total of $13 million.

Kulikov's new deal carries an average annual value of $4.33 million.

The 23-year old Russian scored eight goals and added 11 assists in 81 games with the Panthers in 2013-14.

Originally selected 14th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Kulikov has appeared in 313 career games with the Panthers, scoring 24 goals and 75 assists.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=457431

[rollie619]

A Brodie comparable?

[Enoch Root]

yes, but I hope Brodie gets a lot more than 3 years

[Cali Panthers Fan]

IMHO Brodie is better than Kulikov, especially defensively, and Brodie also plays tougher minutes. I don't know how long Brodie is an RFA for, but you have to think he'd be worth at least 4-5 million on the open market. I'm hoping his next contract is one where he's locked up for 6-7 years or so.

I think this is an overpayment for Kulikov considering he has never once been a "plus" player. Last year's -26 is an aberration for his career, but he didn't deserve anything over $3 million. He probably threatened to walk for the KHL if they didn't pay him.

[jesters91]

here's what the Panthers GM had to say about the player

"He's got so much ability," Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said on a conference call. "It's time for him now to make a statement and be a leader on our team. He's got all the ability in the world. It's now just a matter of channeling it in the right direction. We're happy to have him in the fold. He's a great kid. He's still a young guy with tremendous ability. Hard to find those guys."

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/11...medium=twitter

With this signing Florida now sits 12th in league payroll with slightly over 62.5 million committed to the upcoming season. Remember not too long ago they were well below the cap floor but after a busy, and possibly questionable, free agency they have less than 6.5 million in cap space available.

From the same article...

Friday's move wraps up a whirlwind month for the Panthers, who hired a new coach in Gerard Gallant, had the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft and went on a bit of a spending spree when the free-agent period opened July 1. The Panthers handed out more than $60 million in contract value that day alone, signing six players when free agency opened including Stanley Cup-winning defenseman Willie Mitchell along with centers Dave Bolland and Jussi Jokinen.

[neo45]

Brodie is way better defensively than Kulikov. Not as big of a threat offensively but overall a much better player. Hopefully we get Brodie signed to an 8x4.5 this season. He is a legit top pairing guy and one of the most underrated in the league

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by neo45

Brodie is way better defensively than Kulikov. Not as big of a threat offensively but overall a much better player. Hopefully we get Brodie signed to an 8x4.5 this season. He is a legit top pairing guy and one of the most underrated in the league

He played top pairing on the 4th worst team in the league - I wouldn't go running around saying he is a legit top pairing guy and one of the most underrated in the league...at least not yet.

Legit top pairing d-men wouldn't take an 8x4.5 deal either. I do hope he we get him on a deal like that though, because even if he stays at his current level of play, which is more on par with that of a 2nd pairing d-man on a really good team, it's still a really good deal for us going forward.

[neo45]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

He played top pairing on the 4th worst team in the league - I wouldn't go running around saying he is a legit top pairing guy and one of the most underrated in the league...at least not yet.

Legit top pairing d-men wouldn't take an 8x4.5 deal either. I do hope he we get him on a deal like that though, because even if he stays at his current level of play, which is more on par with that of a 2nd pairing d-man on a really good team, it's still a really good deal for us going forward.

The team was 4th worst but him and Gio as a pairing were lights out and the stats prove it. Not to mention he is going to most likely get better.

[Hackey]

Still a bit early to call him a legit top pairing dman. I think he can get there but still has more to prove.

[SuperMatt18]

We were a bad team, Gio and Brodie were still facing the toughest matchups and coming out of that ahead in terms of both regular and advanced stats.

They were a good top pairing last year bad team or not.

[WCW Nitro]

I don't think Brodie is better than Kulikov. Kulikov has regressed a bit, but he was real good the season the Panthers went to the playoffs. I think this season he takes a big leap forward.