FORT LAUDERDALE – The Florida Panthers are cautiously optimistic as several injured players progress in their rehabilitation, potentially bolstering the team’s playoff push. Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov and forward Tomas Nosek both returned to practice with the main group Saturday, following the NHL’s break for the Winter Olympics, signaling a potential return to the lineup in the coming weeks. The team is navigating a challenging stretch, currently facing an eight-point deficit in the hunt for a playoff spot with 25 games remaining.
Nosek, who underwent offseason surgery to address a lower-body injury, has yet to appear in a game this season. Kulikov’s injury, an upper-body issue sustained during the second game of the season on October 9, sidelined him early on. Both players participated in Saturday’s practice wearing yellow, no-contact jerseys, a standard step in their recovery process. The return of these veteran players would provide a significant boost to the Panthers’ depth and experience.
“It’s good to see them progressing in their rehab,” teammate Evan Rodrigues said following practice at Baptist Health IcePlex. “It’s getting two big parts of our team back. Hopefully we’ll see them in some game action in the near future.”
Timeline for Return: Road Trip Holds Potential
Head coach Paul Maurice indicated that Kulikov and Nosek, along with forward Jonah Gadjovich, who has been out since October 25 with an upper-body injury, could potentially return during Florida’s first road trip following the Olympic break, which begins on March 1. Maurice outlined a cautious approach, stating they will likely remain in non-contact roles this week, with a possible transition to full contact around the February 26 home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“They’ll go probably non-contact this week and then maybe get released for contact in and around the Toronto game, which would keep them out of those games,” Maurice explained. “But if they can get through the week, then somewhere on the road trip there will be a chance they’ll come back. I just don’t grasp the answer to a lot of them. They’ve been off for an awfully long time. We do need to get them into a certain level of confidence before [they return].”
Beyond Kulikov and Nosek: A Growing List of Returning Players
The positive news extends beyond Kulikov and Nosek. Defenseman Aaron Ekblad and forwards Brad Marchand and Rodrigues are all expected to be available when the Panthers resume play. Goaltender Daniil Tarasov and Tobias Bjornfot are also cleared to play. Tarasov, who left a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning with a lower-body injury, has been cleared after further testing, according to Maurice, who said, “Tarry’s fine. He got tested a few days earlier. He went pretty hard.”
Kulikov brings 1,020 games of NHL experience and 247 points (50 goals, 197 assists) to the Panthers’ blue line, and is known as an integral piece on the penalty kill. Nosek, a skilled faceoff specialist, appeared in 59 regular-season games for Florida last season and contributed to their playoff run to the Stanley Cup Finals. Gadjovich had recorded three assists in 10 games before his injury.
Barkov and Jones Continue Rehabilitation
While the outlook is improving for several players, captain Aleksander Barkov and defenseman Seth Jones remain further from a return. Both players skated prior to Saturday’s practice, continuing their individual rehabilitation programs. Barkov is recovering from surgery to repair ACL and MCL injuries sustained in September and has yet to play this season. Jones suffered an upper-body injury during the 2026 Winter Classic on January 2.
The Panthers face a demanding schedule upon returning from the break, beginning with a back-to-back series against divisional rivals. They will host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET, followed by a game against the Buffalo Sabres at Amerant Bank Arena on Friday at 7 p.m. ET. Forward Luke Kunin emphasized the need for preparedness, stating, “You’ve got to be ready.”
Tickets for the Panthers’ upcoming games are available here.
The Panthers’ ability to integrate these returning players effectively will be crucial as they navigate a tight playoff race. The team’s next update on player health is expected following practices later this week, as they assess the progress of Kulikov, Nosek, and Gadjovich toward potential game action.
Share your thoughts on the Panthers’ injury situation and playoff chances in the comments below.
Keep reading
