Panthers re-sign Kulikov: GM Tallon says 'He's got all the ability in the world'
The Florida Panthers made a three-year, $13-million commitment to Dmitry Kulikov on Friday, and general manager Dale Tallon appears to believe the sky is the limit for the 23-year-old defenseman.
"He's got all the ability in the world and now it's just a matter of channeling it in the right direction," -Tallon on Kulikov
— Florida Panthers PR (@FlaPanthersPR) July 18, 2014
Kulikov is preparing for his sixth season in the NHL, averaging 26 points per year, with a career high 28 (four goals, 24 assists) in 2011-12.
This past season, he ranked second among all Panthers' defensemen in ice time, with an average 21:41 per game, and third with a 51.2 Corsi For rating at even strength.
With Tom Gilbert off to Montreal, more will be demanded and expected of Kulikov this season, and the Panthers are hoping he raises his game as a result.