Fort Lauderdale – The Florida Panthers will become a little more different guy.
On Wednesday, coach Paul Maurice announced that defensive man Dmitry Klikov will miss a long period of time due to injury but should return before the playoffs begin.
“We list him weekly, upper body,” Maurice said.
Kulikov’s injury occurred during the first period of a 4-2 defeat to New York Islanders on Sunday, awkwardly colliding with Anthony Duclair at high speed in the neutral zone.
With Aaron Ekblad (suspension) already not taking action, Kulikov played a key role in Florida’s second pairing along with Niko Mikkola before his injury.
In 68 games, last year’s Panthers Stanley Cup champion Kulikov scored 13 points (4 goals, nine assists) and led the team’s defensive man with 110 hits.
Filling in the backend blanks, Tobias Bjornfot was recalled by the AHL on Tuesday.
Wearing suits in eight NHL games this season, Bjornfot, who was part of Florida’s expanded playoff roster in last year’s run to the Cup, produced a big underlying number, leading 6.15-2.37 with a 5-5 expected goal that was rolled out.
“It’s nice to have a guy who can nurture things that everyone knows,” Maurice said of his familiarity with Bjornfot’s organization. “When he walks into the room and boards the plane, this is normal for him. His game was very good. He feels bad when he sends him because he’s not doing anything on the ice.”
Initially, it is expected that bjornfot will take Krikov’s spot next to Mikkora.
Although the sample size is very small, the pairing showed some promises earlier this season. The Panthers led 12-1 with goals, 5-5, when Bjornfot and Mikkola played together.
The Panthers, who lead the Atlantic Division at 41-24-3, will visit the Columbus Blue Jacket on Thursday.
“We have to watch a big block-3 (game) on 4th (night),” Maurice said. “When you bring something in, what you want to do is make one change and start as few pieces as possible. That’s kind of an idea.
Originally filmed in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft by the Los Angeles Kings, Bjornfot recorded 15 points (1 goal, 14 assists), 115 hits and 115 blocks in 128 games over a portion of the NHL six seasons, averaging 16:12 ice time on that stretch.
In 43 AHL games at Charlotte this season, the 23-year-old Swede has scored 16 points (two goals, 14 assists).
“Tobi is a great player, a great guy,” forward Anton Landell said. “We’re happy to have him. We have some depth. It’s always good to take him here.”
Stay tuned for the latest news on Kulikov in the coming weeks.
