Kulikov (finger) skated on a pairing with Radko Gudas on Thursday to open training camp, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Kulikov and Gudas would provide a physical shutdown pairing if they stick together for the 2026-27 campaign. The 35-year-old Kulikov was shut down early with a broken finger to end 2025-26, but he appears to have no lingering injury concerns to begin training camp. He'll likely fill a bottom-four role this year.