7 Dmitry Kulikov D

Kulikov scored a goal and added four hits with two blocks in Thursday's 3-0 victory over the Capitals.

Kulikov opened the scoring six-and-a-half minutes into the game, providing the only offense the Jets would need behind Connor Hellebuyck's shutout. It was only the second goal of the season for Kulikov, who last found the net way back on Oct. 4, the second game of the season. The 29-year-old defenseman has just 10 points in 46 games on the year.

Kulikov registered two assists, two shots on goal and two hits in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Blackhawks.

Kulikov's two helpers accounted for his first multi-point outing of the year. The Russian blueliner now has nine points, 86 hits, 59 blocked shots and 46 shots on net in 40 contests this season. Between injuries and a defense-first role, Kulikov hasn't done enough to warrant fantasy attention.

Kulikov (illness) was back on the ice for Thursday's practice session, Ken Wiebe of The Athletic reports.

After missing Tuesday's clash with Vancouver due to his illness, it appears Kulikov will be ready to square off against Tampa Bay on Friday. The Russian blueliner has been plagued by injury this season, which limited him to 27 contests this year, in which he notched just five points. Given his limited offensive upside, fantasy owners will want to look elsewhere for consistent production.

Kulikov missed Tuesday's game due to the flu, Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press reports.

Kulikov had made two appearances since returning from an upper-body injury. The Russian will hope to be ready for Friday's game against the Lightning, as Carl Dahlstrom (upper body) appears set for an extended absence. Regardless of Kulikov's status Friday, expect the Jets to call up a defenseman from AHL Manitoba.

Kulikov (upper body) has been taken off injured reserve ahead of Thursday's matchup with Boston.

Kulikov figures to slot back into the lineup in Thursday's clash, though who gets bounced from the blue line remains to be seen, with the most likely candidates being Sami Niku or Anthony Bitetto. Given Kulikov's limited offensive upside, he won't offer much in terms of fantasy value the rest of the way.

Kulikov (upper body) is healthy enough to play versus Toronto on Wednesday, Paul Friesen of Winnipeg Sun reports.

Coach Paul Maurice told reporters that Kulikov is an option if needed Wednesday, but didn't go so far as to confirm he would be in the lineup. The Jets could opt to continue utilizing youngster Sami Niku rather than going back to Kulikov. The Russian should be officially activated off injured reserve once Maurice decides to put him back in the lineup.

Kulikov (upper body) will join the Jets for their four-game road trip, Murat Ares of The Athletic reports.

While coach Paul Maurice wouldn't go so far as to confirm Kulikov would play, the fact that he is on the trip is certainly a step in the right direction. Considering he has only just resumed practicing with the club, Saturday's matchup with Minnesota would seem a bit premature. Once Kulikov is cleared for action, Carl Dahlstrom figures to be the odd man out on the blue line.

Kulikov (upper body) was designated for injured reserve Wednesday.

Considering Kulikov is expected to miss 6-8 weeks due to his upper-body injury, his placement on injured reserve was only a matter of time. With the extra roster spot, the Jets claimed center Nick Shore off waivers from the Maple Leafs. In Kulikov's stead, Luca Sbisa (undisclosed) figured to see the most significant uptick in ice time, but is now dealing with an injury of his own.

Coach Paul Maurice said Kulikov (upper body) will be out until the All-Star break, which starts Jan. 23, Mitchell Clinton of JetsTV reports.

The injury woes on Winnipeg's blue line continue. Kulikov is expected to be placed on IR and potentially even long-term IR to afford the team relief for his $4.33 million AAV contract. The 29-year-old has recorded four points, 40 hits and 38 blocked shots over 25 games.

Kulikov (upper body) will remain out of the lineup Tuesday against the Stars, Jets TV reporter Mitchell Clinton reports.

Kulikov's next chance to make his return will come Thursday against these same Stars, but he may still not be ready by that point. His absence won't be felt much in fantasy circles, as Kulikov has just four points in 25 games this season.

Kulikov (upper body) will miss Saturday's contest versus the Kings, Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press reports.

The Russian blueliner was hurt in the Jets' last game, one that saw Kulikov log less than four minutes of ice time before leaving. He did not return and will sit Saturday, in Los Angeles. Kulikov's next chance to play will come Tuesday, at home versus Dallas.

Kulikov (upper body) won't return to Friday's game in Anaheim, Scott Billeck of the Winnipeg Sun reports.

Kulikov got injured in the first period after playing just 3:59, leaving the Jets with only five defensemen for the rest of the contest. He'll be hard-pressed to make a quick turnaround and suit up Saturday against the Kings, though more definitive word on his status should surface prior to that game.

Kulikov is pointless in six straight games, dating back to Oct. 13 versus Pittsburgh.

Kulikov is also bogged down in a 10-game goal drought. While the blueliner isn't expected to be an offensive force for the Jets, the team was likely hoping for more when it signed him in 2017. The last time the Russian topped the 20-point mark was in 2014-15 when he was with the Panthers.

Kulikov (personal) is expected to return to the lineup for Thursday's game against the Wild, Ken Wiebe of The Athletic reports.

Kulikov was granted a leave of absence to be present for the birth of his child, but he'll be back in action against Minnesota. The 28-year-old will likely slot into a top-four role for the Jets, but he has virtually zero offensive upside, so he can be ignored in all but the deepest of fantasy formats.

Kulikov is dealing with a personal matter and won't be in the lineup against Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Ken Wiebe of The Athletic reports.

While Kulikov is away, the club recalled Sami Niku from the minors, though it will likely be Anthony Bitetto and Carl Dahlstrom to slot into the lineup. The Jets' blue line is certainly depleted, though Josh Morrissey (upper body) has been given the all-clear to return to action. Once back with the team, Kulikov should continue eating up big minutes, though is unlikely to see time on the power play, giving him low-end fantasy value.

Kulikov notched an assist in Friday's 8-1 win over the Hurricanes.

Kulikov now has two assists over his last three games, but that accounts for a third of his six points in 42 games this year. Kulikov is a stay-at-home defenseman, and he doesn't generate enough hits or blocked shots (70 and 51, respectively) to warrant much fantasy interest. He'll stay in the lineup due to the injury bug biting three of his fellow defenders.

Kulikov garnered an assist versus the Blue Jackets on Sunday.

Kulikov also racked up 17 minutes in penalties that included a five-minute fighting major. The blueliner was limited to a mere 11:01 of ice time as a result and will likely find himself back in the press box once Dustin Byfuglien (lower body) and Joe Morrow (lower body) are cleared to return.

Kulikov (upper body) will return to the lineup for Saturday's game against the Senators, NHL.com's Scott Billeck reports.

Kulikov's return will bolster the Jets' depth at defense, but it won't impact any fantasy lineups, as he's only notched four assists in 33 contests this campaign. The 28-year-old blueliner is expected to skate with Tyler Myers on Winnipeg's bottom pairing against Ottawa.

Kulikov (upper body) won't be in action against Colorado on Thursday, Sara Orlesky of TSN.ca reports.

Kulikov will miss his fourth game due to his upper-body issue. Even once given the green light to play, the Russian could struggle to break into the lineup and may find himself relegated to the press box in favor of Joe Morrow and Ben Chiarot.

Kulikov (upper body) won't be in the lineup versus the Rangers on Tuesday, Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun reports.

Considering the Jets sent Sami Niku down to the minors, Kulikov is probably healthy enough to suit up in an emergency since the club doesn't have any additional blue-line depth. Even once fully fit, the Russian could struggle to break into the roster and could find himself serving as a healthy scratch more often than not.