*Photo from BVM Sports*
The champion is sticking around for a little while longer. The Florida Panthers and D Dmitry Kulikov have agreed to a 4 year, $4.6 million contract, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie. The Panthers have confirmed the contract.
Signing a one year contract ahead of last season to return to the Panthers, Kulikov had a successful second stint with the team as they won the Stanley Cup. He now is able to return with a longer term agreement, making $1.15 million annually with a $400,000 signing bonus in year one and a $270,000 signing bonus in the second year.
Not known for his offense, Kulikov had a low point year for the Panthers last season. He scored just one goal but added 19 assists, the most he had in a season since 2014-2015, also with the Panthers. He averaged 16:31 of ice time in 76 games. He had a pair of assists in 24 playoff games.
Florida president of hockey operations and GM Bill Zito said in a statement that "Dmitry’s stout defensive play and strong physicality were crucial to winning our first Stanley Cup. We are excited that he will be a Florida Panther for years to come."
Kulikov has been around the league and back, playing for one quarter of the league's 32 teams in his career. He's donned the uniform of the Panthers, Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets, New Jersey Devils, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild, Anaheim Ducks, and Pittsburgh Penguins. The Panthers are by far the team Kulikov has been with the longest, spending 8 years with the team over two stints.
Since debuting in 2009-2010, Kulikov has 15 years of NHL experience under his belt. He's accumulated 46 goals and 188 assists for 234 points, averaging 19:27 of ice time per game in 948 regular season games. He has an additional one goal and 9 assists in 53 playoff games.
The extension of Kulikov is the second re-signing the Panthers have made this offseason, having also re-signed Sam Reinhart to a fresh new 8 year contract.
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