Category Archives: Florida Panthers
Tidbits from Elliotte Friedman
I thought it was important to start with Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon’s denial in a Miami Herald blog of our report on Hockey Night Hotstove that he had a trade in place involving Dmitri Kulikov, which was the reason the defenceman was scratched last week. It is believed Tallon’s trading partner was the Colorado Avalanche. The two teams did have some serious talks and may do so again. Tallon didn’t comment before we went to air and I stand by the info, but it should be known that history proves he’s been honest when I’ve contacted him about things.
Here’s a clue as to why the Dmitry Kulikov deal with Avs might have fallen through…
As noted by Ottawa Sun uber columnist Bruce Garrioch today – and this is something I’d heard as well – it’s possible that the reason why a deal fell through to bring Kulikov to the Avs is because of his contract status and the KHL. There is word that Kulikov might just take a big offer to go back to the KHL after this season, that he doesn’t love life in the NHL that much. More on that here:
http://sulia.com/channel/colorado-avalanche/f/501af6e2-0c3d-4632-ac0a-d8de79c94ed4/?source=twitter&repost=240
Are the Avalanche interested in Florida defenseman Dmitry Kulikov?
According to ace Rogers Sportsnet reporter/podcast host Jeff Marek they are.
Marek, one of the hockey media people I respect a lot, said on the air that his sources are telling him the Avs have interest in Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov, the 14th overall pick by Florida in 2009 – 11 spots behind Matt Duchene.
Trade rumblings
I mentioned last week that the Vancouver Canucks had a conversation with the Washington Capitals about Martin Erat — who has asked for a trade — but the Canucks after some thought decided to pass. Ditto for the Ottawa Senators, who initially showed a bit of interest but ultimately decided Erat wasn’t a fit. …
Panthers trying to get an auction going for Kulikov
Bob McKenzie: Florida Panthers defenceman Dmitri Kulikov has been available for most of this year but the Panthers are kicking it up, very aggressively shopping him, and trying to get an auction going for a 23-year-old defenceman who was picked 14th overall in the 2008 draft. Kulikov though has two knocks against him. One, he hasn’t been developing and playing particularly well for Florida and two, he’s a restricted free agent at the end of the year and there are fears that because he has the KHL option as a Russian, he might go back there instead of playing in the NHL.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=438137