Appleton nearing a return, Kulikov update expected soon

WINNIPEG -Dmitry Kulikov didn't participate in Monday's practice, but it won't be long before Paul Maurice and the Winnipeg Jets know the extent of his upper-body injury.
Kulikov was injured in Friday's 3-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks, playing just 3:59.
Maurice said the Jets expect to know more about how long Kulikov will be out later on Monday.
While that was the bad news on the injury front, the good news is that Mason Appleton, Gabriel Bourque, and Nathan Beaulieu all skated prior to practice on Monday.

The closest to a return is Appleton, who was injured the day before the 2019 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic when he broke a bone in his foot.
"Appleton may skate morning skate with us tomorrow in a full jersey. He'd be cleared at that point, then cleared to full practice," said Maurice, adding Appleton likely isn't an option until he gets more practice time.
"Maybe medically cleared, but with the amount of time he's been out, we're probably looking at him getting some practice time. I know we'll get a full one there, we'll come back off day after Dallas and get another full one. Then we'll start considering him."
Bourque, who hasn't played since November 5 due to a lower-body injury, is a little bit further behind.
"Bourque is still a week," said Maurice. "He'll come in on a gold non-contact, it's a different injury."
As for Beaulieu, Maurice described the defenceman's skate today as one with limited mobility. However, he's hopeful Beaulieu will be skating in a week or less.