From Russia, Dmitry Kulikov is a well-traveled defenceman whose shutdown skills would always find a home in the NHL.  

Drafted 14th Overall in 2009, Kulikov debuted for the Panthers while still a teenager, and found solid time at the blue line over the next few seasons, peaking with a 28-Point output in 2011-12.  Kulikov was traded to Buffalo in 2016, and he would later play for Winnipeg, New Jersey, Edmonton, Minnesota, Anaheim, and Pittsburgh before resigning in 2023 with the Panthers as a Free Agent.

It was a great move for Kulikov, who helped Florida win their first two Stanley Cups.  He is still with Florida going into 2025/26, and his veteran presence could help them three-peat.

November 16 – 22
The Fleetwoods
Mr. Blue

The 10th overall draft pick from the 1995 Draft, Czech-born forward Radek Dvorak was young, but he helped the Florida Panthers reach their first ever Stanley Cup.   Dvorak would prove to be a good two-way player and decent on the shorthanded side of the ice, and was productive in both of his Florida runs.

While concussions turned Rob Niedermayer into a more defensive forward early in his career, he was still a productive two-way player, especially considering that “early” in his career was all with the Florida Panthers.  Niedermayer was a large part of that Stanley Cup run, and he was an instant leader with the Panthers.  He is one of the few players to log over 500 games for the South Florida franchise.