Kulikov, 31 (10/29/90), has appeared in 805 career NHL games with Minnesota, Edmonton, New Jersey, Winnipeg, Buffalo and Florida, recording 42-156=198 points with 494 penalty minutes (PIM). He set single-season career highs in points (4-24=28) and assists with the Panthers in 2011-12, and recorded career bests in games played (81), goals (8), shots on goal (127) and hits (125) in 2013-14.
The 6-1, 201-pound defenseman collected 7-17=24 points with a career-high +23 rating and 39 PIM in 80 games with Minnesota in 2021-22. He also appeared in two postseason contests with the Wild in 2022, earning one assist in his sixth straight trip to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He has earned 1-7=8 points and 20 PIM in 29 career Stanley Cup Playoff games. In the 2020 postseason, he co-led Winnipeg defensemen in scoring with two assists (0-2=2) in four contests.
Originally selected by Florida in the first round (14th overall) of the 2009 NHL Draft, Kulikov led all Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) defensemen in scoring with 12-50=62 points with a +34 rating in 57 games with Drummondville in 2008-09. He was named to the Canadian Hockey League All-Rookie Team, the QMJHL Defenseman of the Year, the Leagues top professional prospect, Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year. He also helped Drummondville to a QMJHL championship and an appearance in the Memorial Cup Final
A native of Lipetsk, Russia, Kulikov has represented Russia at three World Championships, earning silver medals in 2010 and 2015. He also appeared at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, 2009 World Junior Championship and earned medals in back-to-back U-18 World Championships (gold in 2007 and silver in 2008).
