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BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Dmitry Kulikov was initially excited upon learning the Florida Panthers had acquired and then signed free-agent defenseman Keith Yandle to a long-term contract last week.Little did Kulikov realize that Yandles addition would lead to him being the odd man out a few days later, when the Panthers traded the seventh-year defenseman to the Buffalo Sabres.I was comfortable with Florida, Kulikov said during a telephone conference call Tuesday. I didnt think that something like that was going to go down. But it did. Its part of the business. And Im excited for the future.Kulikov, 25, took the move in stride because his role as a top-four defenseman isnt expected to diminish in Buffalo. By acquiring Kulikov in a trade made early in the second round of the NHL draft on Saturday, the Sabres addressed a critical need by adding a left-shooting defenseman.Though Buffalos defensive pairings wont be set until training camp, Kulikov is expected to open next season playing alongside either Rasmus Ristolainen or Zach Bogosian.Its a familiar role for Kulikov, who averaged more than 21 minutes of playing time per game over the past five seasons.Im happy to take on that responsibility, said Kulikov, who spent much of last year playing alongside Aaron Ekblad. I think change is sometimes for the best. Maybe whatever happens, happens for a reason. So maybe Im meant to be in Buffalo.In exchange for Kulikov, the Panthers acquired defenseman Mark Pysyk, who struggled establishing a regular role during four seasons in Buffalo. The teams also swapped second-round draft picks in a move that helped the Panthers free up $3.25 million in salary cap space.Kulikov is in the final year of his contract, and eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.He played more of a defensive role in his recent seasons in Florida, which selected him in the first-round of the 2009 draft. He had one goal and 16 assists in 74 games last season. Kulikovs career high for goals is eight, in 2013-14, and points is 28, in 2011-12.The Sabres believe Kulikov has more offensive potential, and were impressed with his goal and three assists in Floridas first-round playoff series loss to the New York Islanders in April.Kulikov believes he can up his offense, too.I havent been as productive as I wanted to be in the NHL and, obviously, I want to grow in that part of the game, he said. Im just happy for a fresh start and happy for the opportunity in Buffalo.Kulikov isnt expected to be the only new offseason addition for the rebuilding Sabres, who intend to be active once the NHLs free-agency period opens Friday. Buffalo is among a number of teams that have already expressed interest in center Steven Stamkos, should the Lightning captain not re-sign with Tampa Bay.Kulikov is intrigued by who Buffalo might add.The more better players were going to bring into the organization, the more successful were going to be, and the faster were going to be successful, Kulikov said. Nike Sf Air Force 1 Mid Uomo Scarpe . -- Cam Newton pranced into the end zone, placed his hands over his chest and did his familiar Superman pose. Air Force 1 Alte Graphic . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. http://www.airforce1outletitalia.it/scontate-air-force-1-alte-nere.html . According to a report from the Vancouver Province, the Lions are expected to replace former DC Rich Stubler with defensive backs coach Mark Washington. Air Force 1 Basse Italia .Y. -- Injured Buffalo Sabres forward Marcus Foligno did not practice with the team Monday and head coach Ron Rolston said its unlikely hell play in Wednesdays season opener in Detroit. Air Force 1 Alte Victorious Minotaur . Oyama had six birdies and two bogeys at Kintetsu Kashikojima in the event also sanctioned by the Japan LPGA Tour. "I have been having this neck ache thats been affecting my golf recently," Oyama said. MINNEAPOLIS -- Out of the doghouse and into the end zone, Cordarrelle Pattersons career renaissance kicked into overdrive on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.Patterson returned a kickoff 104 yards for a touchdown to put the Vikings in control of the game, and also had four catches for 53 yards in Minnesotas 30-24 victory that snapped a four-game losing streak.Once thought of as the dynamic playmaker who would take over as a focal point of the Vikings offense once Adrian Peterson was ready to retire, the 2013 first-round draft choice entered the season hanging on to a roster spot for dear life. He had two catches for 10 yards all of last season, then watched the Vikings spend a first-round draft choice on another receiver before declining to pick up the fifth-year option on Pattersons contract later in the summer.Over the span of 10 games in a contract year, Patterson has gone from an afterthought in the offense to a featured element. In addition to his return and receiving duties on Sunday, Patterson took a read-option handoff from Jerick McKinnon to get the defense focused on him, then flipped the ball to quarterback Sam Bradford in a play that drew a penalty downfield and set up a Vikings touchdown.When youre involved, you cant even sleep at night, Patterson said. Last night I couldnt even sleep because I was just so excited about today. I knew it was going to be a good game for me, man. Ive got a couple friends in town and I told them its going to be a good game for me.He also converted a third-and-1 with a 30-yard reception that set up another touchdown, and opened the second half with his fifth career kickoff return TD, which ties him with Percy Harvin for the most in Vikings history.When you look what he does on special teams, when the balls in his hands, you just feel like hes one of those guys if we can get him five, six, however many touches it is a game, you know that hes going to create something positive, Bradford saaid.dddddddddddd Anytime the balls in his hands, hes got a chance to take it all the way.When the Vikings drafted Laquon Treadwell in April and declined Pattersons contract option, the writing appeared to be on the wall for a player whose physical tools were never questioned, but whose carefree personality led to doubts about him as a consistent threat on offense. Pattersons good friend Adam Thielen, an undrafted player out of Division II Minnesota State, Mankato, had surpassed him on the receiver depth chart. His future was uncertain.Nicknamed Flash both for his blazing speed and his colorful personality, Patterson first showed coaches that he was playing with a different attitude when he started covering punts as a gunner. Its one of the most thankless tasks on the field. He forced a key fumble against the Giants and gradually started earning more playing time on offense as well.The approach endeared him to no-nonsense coach Mike Zimmer, and Patterson has seen his role grow each week.Its been cool to see him have success because Ive seen what he does in the offseason, said Thielen, who had five catches for 65 yards and a touchdown. Ive seen how positive he is. Its easy for guys in his situation to not have that mindset and not work hard. But its good to see when guys deserve it and they go out and make it happen.The Vikings never needed Patterson more than Sunday, when they carried a four-game losing streak into a crucial home game. Patterson broke out some socks with his own likeness on them -- Last night I was packing my bag and said hey, I need to pack these, he said -- and broke the game open with a kick return that gave the Vikings a 27-17 lead.Tonight Im going to sleep like a baby, he said with a wide smile. Im going to sleep too good.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '