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Panthers’ Kulikov has no desire to play in KHL

Florida Panthers v Toronto Maple Leafs

TORONTO,ON - JANUARY 30: Dmitry Kulikov #7 of the Florida Panthers skates with the puck during an NHL game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre on January 30, 2014 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Leafs defeated the Panthers 6-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

Claus Andersen

Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov hears the rumors about how he wants to go back to the KHL after going through the ups and downs that come with being a young blue liner in the NHL. He also knows those rumors are totally bogus.

Kulikov tells George Richards of the Miami Herald there’s zero truth to the KHL talk .

“Wanting to go back to Russia? Those words have never come out of my mouth,” Kulikov said. “I think the people starting that are just trying to create more drama for the league or whatever... I want to help turn things around here. I want to win here. The year we made the playoffs was like the best thing ever. It’s a totally different feeling. I want to feel that again.”

Kulikov said he’d love to meet the people who are spreading rumors of his apparent desire to go home. Feel free to picture him going “Jay & Silent Bob” on Internet rumormongers and have a laugh to yourself.

All told, while the Panthers have struggled Kulikov hasn’t been as bad some believe. His advanced numbers are average and he’s still producing points from the blue line. If the Panthers were winning more games, perhaps the perception of his play would be a little better.

Follow @JoeYerdonPHT