Larcos_Unal
Excuses are for losers
kulemin better think twice before asking for a raise on his next contract, there's no way in hell he's ever scoring 30 again.
the way he's going, 15 would be a miracle.
the way he's going, 15 would be a miracle.
To me its clear Kulemin doesn't fit as a scorer, its time to remove him OFF the Grabo line. The way I see it is we need a "shutdown" line and for it to be effective it needs to have the 3 most reliable defensive forwards, Kulemin fits that bill.
When you check the trade forums, Kulie is still one of the only Leafs that consistently comes up from other teams' fans.
Not that it's much of a value gauge, but it shows you who they're noticing.
Kulemin is a solid player for this team, and the blame is next to never on his shoulders when the Leafs lose. Outside of unrealistic expectations, of course... (Wait! You mean the Leafs lost because Kulie didn't get 10 goals/game??)
Kulemin is one of the puzzle pieces that is already solved for this team.
I would agree though, that Kulemin is definitely playing more aggressively this year, as compared to last year. He's much stronger on the forecheck and is producing turnovers, something he wasn't as good at last year.
To ever get back to his 30 goal season, he needs to both drive the net and fight for chances there, as well as have the other players around him perform better, such as defensemen getting pucks to the net, or other forwards drawing defensive coverage.
You're only as bad as your weakest link so I wouldn't worry about Kulemin at this point.
Not that it's much of a value gauge, but it shows you who they're noticing.
Kulemin is a solid player for this team, and the blame is next to never on his shoulders when the Leafs lose. Outside of unrealistic expectations, of course... (Wait! You mean the Leafs lost because Kulie didn't get 10 goals/game??)
Kulemin is one of the puzzle pieces that is already solved for this team.
I would agree though, that Kulemin is definitely playing more aggressively this year, as compared to last year. He's much stronger on the forecheck and is producing turnovers, something he wasn't as good at last year.
To ever get back to his 30 goal season, he needs to both drive the net and fight for chances there, as well as have the other players around him perform better, such as defensemen getting pucks to the net, or other forwards drawing defensive coverage.
You're only as bad as your weakest link so I wouldn't worry about Kulemin at this point.
Brewsky
King Of The Ice Mugs
Meh, I'm indifferent to Kulemin. I use to be a big supporter of his in the past but...production has dropped. Even as far as defence, he's not top 10 as many boast him to be. Wouldn't be hurt if his ass was traded for something good and have Frattin take his spot. He's good on the PK though, but he always has that stupid look on his face as if he's out of gas, mouth open, eyes droopy, IT JUST PISSES ME OFF!
HockeyThoughts
Delivering The Truth
Nikolai Kulemin: 10GP 1G 5A 6PTS 22hits
Mikhail Grabovski: 10GP 3G 2A 5PTS 7hits
Clarke MacArthur: 7GP 1G 1A 2PTS 6hits
There is one clear outlier on this line, and let me tell you it's not the physical, defensively sound leading scorer on our second line.
With the offensive emergence of Matt Frattin, and the addition of JVR; MacArthur's role on the Toronto Maple Leafs is largely redundant and I believe his time on this team has come to an end.
I hope he is unloaded by the trade deadline.
Jerkini
Registered User
it's clear you're biased so whatever you have to say about Kulemin is worth about as much as the gum on the bottom of my shoe.
hobarth
Registered User
- Jul 10, 2011
- 1,160
- 294
I watch all the games and Kule rarely goes to the opposition's net, so far this year Kule has 1 goal which he got on one of the 2 times I seen him go to the net, 2 years ago both Kule and Mac seemed to live in front of the opposition's net that's why that line was so good.
Kule wins battles for the puck in the corner but he doesn't know what to do with it after.
This fellow has very good potential and I heard RC prodding JVR to go to the net, Kule needs the same. He's being paid 2.8 mil. which is too much for a 3rd liner so if he continues to play like he is now his stats will reflect what he's become.
Too bad, I loved the player he was 2 years ago but 7 goals for an entire season is just too anemic, I say trade him for a d-man which TO needs desperately.
Kulemin and Grabo need a pure playmaking center/winger (can move Grabo to the wing). Kulemin is can drive the net, recover pucks along the boards. Grabo cannot distribute the puck. There is no chemistry on that line because no one is distributing the puck. Put a guy like Kadri at center on that line would give that line a lot of balance (not saying I would move Kadri in there, but a guy like Kadri, maybe even Colborne would fit well.
Lupul - XXXXXX - Kessel
Kulemin - Colbourne - Grabovski
Frattin - Kadri - Komarov
McClaren - McClement - PK SPECIALIST
That would be fairly ideal for me.
Lupul - XXXXXX - Kessel
Kulemin - Colbourne - Grabovski
Frattin - Kadri - Komarov
McClaren - McClement - PK SPECIALIST
That would be fairly ideal for me.
They need Kulemin to follow two pieces of advice: Go to the net (Like JVR). And get engaged physically (Like Frattin).
The only people I would trade Kulemin to is Pittsburgh because I know they would over pay. But I would do so very reluctantly.
Kulie is fine - much better than last year.
30 was probably an apparition - but 20 for a strong two-way player is terrific for a guy making what we pay him.
I do agree with the sentiment that he would probably be better suited iin a shut-down role on a 3rd line - however we don't have any big bodies capable of logging Top6 minutes/duties that are an upgrade.
Kulie McClement Komarov ?
Kulie Bozak Komorov ?
30 was probably an apparition - but 20 for a strong two-way player is terrific for a guy making what we pay him.
I do agree with the sentiment that he would probably be better suited iin a shut-down role on a 3rd line - however we don't have any big bodies capable of logging Top6 minutes/duties that are an upgrade.
Kulie McClement Komarov ?
Kulie Bozak Komorov ?
Woll Smoth
Registered User
The Winter Soldier
Registered User
- Apr 4, 2011
- 70,810
- 21,016
I think he would score a few more goals with a playmaking Center, would like to see him with Kadri and Frattin.
I really think Grabo hinders him more than helps his output.
He wasn't bad with Kessel and Bozak once either. But put him with Kadri and I think his goal total goes up. Defensively he's always been good.
I really think Grabo hinders him more than helps his output.
He wasn't bad with Kessel and Bozak once either. But put him with Kadri and I think his goal total goes up. Defensively he's always been good.
Solid defensively, a monster on the forecheck and in any kind of board battle, but still half a second behind on the rush. We see him making strong moves with the puck towards the net but then seems unsure of what to do when it works and loses it. Still not connecting on a lot of passes. Overall? Not as good as 10-11, not as bad as 11-12...closer to the former than the latter IMO.
I would trade Kulemin to Pittsburg for an overpayment only. They want to win and will have to pay for Kule.
Kulemin is the hardest working player on the Leafs hands down. A very skilled player, is physical and who is willing to play defensively, is extremely smart, and does what is asked. It is not circumstance he brings up the play of his linemates.
No one forward on the Leafs can bring what Kulemin does, and its not even close. As much as I appreciate him as a player, I can't help but see him leave when he hits UFA. Kulemin does not get enough credit at all.
No one forward on the Leafs can bring what Kulemin does, and its not even close. As much as I appreciate him as a player, I can't help but see him leave when he hits UFA. Kulemin does not get enough credit at all.
Hero
Uncle Leo
Lot of speed, lot of size. Very strong on the puck.
I really like him as a 5th-6th scoring option.
I really like him as a 5th-6th scoring option.
The Winter Soldier
Registered User
- Apr 4, 2011
- 70,810
- 21,016
If Shero wants to go for it this year and deal Morrow, if I am the GM of the Leafs we have a deal. Then we could deal Phaneuf too to add even more assets and capspace, add Morrow to Gardiner, Percy, Rielly, and this would be one of the more promising young D's in the NHL.
On the horizon Finn, Granberg, and Nilsson.
He gets rid of the puck too quickly. Its like its a hot potatoe and he doesnt wanna touch it. If he just thought about what is best play he wouldnt miss so many opportunities.
THHT
Registered User
- Oct 29, 2009
- 508
- 0
He's been good (not great) lately. Certainly better than last year, but not quite as good as his career year (namely opportunistic/aggressive forechecking), which can be attributed to a lot of things. He's clearly capable athletically, but I wonder how long it will be before we see that same guy who rushed straight at the net, used smart forechecking to setup plays, and scored a goal every now and again just for kicks.
I hope he gets better than he is right now with the possiblity of an extension for years to come, but I wouldn't mind seeing him get traded to a more successful team. Can't say the same thing about anyone else on the team.
Jan 22:
I hope he gets better than he is right now with the possiblity of an extension for years to come, but I wouldn't mind seeing him get traded to a more successful team. Can't say the same thing about anyone else on the team.
Jan 22:
