Santos indicated there wasn't any progress worth revealing, and the two sides are expected to speak again shortly.
Kulikov, 22, played for Yaroslavl Lokomotiv of the KHL during the lockout. In 22 games, he registered three goals, three assists and 28 penalty minutes.
The native of Lipetsk, Russia, is believed to be looking for a long-term deal worth in the neighborhood of $3 million per season after his three-year, entry-level contract expired this past summer.
Kulikov is one of two of the NHL's top currently unsigned RFA defensemen. The Montreal Canadiens have been unable to sign P.K. Subban to a long-term extension, but the two sides did not communicate on Wednesday.
In 58 games with the Panthers last season, Kulikov registered four goals and 24 assists for 28 points.
The Panthers drafted Kulikov 14th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
