70 Dmitry Kulikov D

Kulikov (not injury related) had a shot, a blocked shot, two hits and a plus-2 rating over 16:35 of ice time in Thursday's 3-2 win over Boston.

Kulikov delivered a solid defensive effort in his first action since Jan. 31. He rarely contributes on the offensive end, but the 30-year-old Russian should be a mainstay on the Devils' blue line now that he has cleared COVID-19 protocols.

Kulikov (not injury related) has been added to the Devils' active roster and is expected to return to the lineup for Thursday's game against the Bruins, Corey Masisak of The Athletic reports.

Kulikov's return will bolster New Jersey's defensive prowess, but it won't impact many fantasy lineups, as he's only picked up one helper through nine games this campaign.

Kulikov was removed from the NHL's COVID-19 protocols list Wednesday, Sam Carchidi of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Kulikov practiced for the first time in 12 days Wednesday, so although he's been removed from the league's virus protocols list, he likely won't jump right back into the lineup Thursday against Boston. The 30-year-old blueliner has yet to be added to the Devils' active roster, so another update on his status should surface once that occurs.

Kulikov joined the team for Wednesday's practice session and will be removed from the COVID-19 list, Chris Ryan of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Kulikov still needs to be activated off non-roster injured reserve in order to suit up in Thursday's matchup with the Bruins. In his nine games this year, the 30-year-old blueliner registered one assist, 10 shots and 14 hits while averaging 19:56 of ice time. Even if he is cleared to play Thursday, Kulikov is unlikely to offer much in the way of fantasy value.

Kulikov (COVID-19 protocol) won't play in Tuesday's game versus the Rangers, Corey Masisak of The Athletic reports.

Kulikov has yet to return to the ice, and he's not expected to be on the road trip that will take a stop in Boston on Thursday. In turn, the 30-year-old's next chance to play is Saturday against the Sabres.

Kulikov has been added to the NHL's COVID-19 protocols list, The Athletic's Corey Masisak reports.

The Devils now have 17 players on the league's protocols list, and at this point there's no telling when they'll be able to resume play.

Kulikov dished out an assist in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Flyers.

Kulikov got his first point as a member of the Devils in his sixth game with the team. The veteran blueliner rarely gets his name on the scoresheet, as Kulikov hasn't scored more than three goals in a season since the 2013-14 campaign. Most of his value to the team comes on the defensive end, and especially on the penalty kill; Kulikov led all Devils defensemen with 4:25 of shorthanded ice time in this one.

Kulikov signed a one-year, $1.15 million contract with the Devils on Thursday.

Kulikov appeared in 51 games with the Jets last season, picking up 10 points while averaging just over 20 minutes of ice time per contest. The 29-year-old blueliner will likely take on a slightly reduced role with New Jersey in 2020-21, which will further limit his already virtually non-existent offensive upside, so he won't be a viable fantasy option.

Kulikov collected an assist in Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Flames in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Qualifiers.

Kulikov supplied the secondary assist on Andrew Copp's opening goal in the first period. Kulikov only had two goals and 10 points in 51 outings during the regular season. The Russian blueliner isn't known for his offense -- it's his physicality (104 hits, 77 blocked shots) that accounts for most of his contributions on the ice.

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.