Panthers deal Kulikov to Sabres

The Florida Panthers have traded defenseman Dmitry Kulikov and the 33rd pick in the draft to the Buffalo Sabres for defenseman Mark Pysyk and the 38th and 39th picks, the Panthers announced.

Kulikov is coming off his seventh season with the Panthers since being selected 14th overall in 2009. While he only managed one goal and 17 points in 74 games during the regular season, his production was elevated in the playoffs, as he contributed four points in six games against the New York Islanders.

Pysyk, meanwhile, enjoyed his longest stretch in the NHL this season since being drafted in the first round in 2010. The 24-year-old dressed in 55 contests, tallying one goal and 10 assists.

The deal frees up cap space for the Panthers, who will save roughly $3 million. Psysyk has one more year left on his contract before he hits restricted free agency, while Kulikov will become a UFA at the conclusion of next season.