Sabres' Dmitry Kulikov: Misses Saturday practice with bruised back

Kulikov did not practice Saturday after suffering a bruised back Friday against Toronto, John Vogl of The Buffalo News reports.

Analysis:

The injury is not believed to be serious and Kulikov's status remains day-to-day. There's little doubt he'll be ready for the start of the season, though with Rasmus Ristolainen still unsigned, it's unclear who Kulikov's defensive partner will be. The Russian defenseman is not known for his offensive prowess and doesn't deserve a roster spot in standard fantasy leagues.