Player Discussion: Nikita Kucherov - Part 2

[bov]

I don't mean to disparage the guy now, especially since things have picked up, but there are some realities of Kucherov's game that people love to ignore (Don't give me this Russian discriminatory shit, that's a weak card to play). Kucherov has lacked effort or made careless plays on plenty of occasions, especially early on in seasons. To deny this would be delusional. He does not compete as hard both ways as many of our players on a nightly basis. He has made plenty of plays over the years that would be grounds for benching/demotion of lesser players.

Even in the game last night, there were quite a few times he was in close proximity to the puck carrier and couldn't be bothered even trying to impede their progress, instead just keeping one hand on the stick and coasting back into the D zone, losing ground on his opponent. That's something you'll see from him every single game, because he cares more about offense than defense. I don't think he is consciously "not trying" as much as just prioritizing certain aspects of the game over others, but it's apparent nonetheless.

It's not really a concern of mine as he is obviously a great player who tends to raise his game when it matters most, but there are clear deficiencies when it comes to defensive effort and consistent compete level. When he's on his game, you live with it but when he's off, it's ugly. Fantastic player but these are the things that keep him out of that very top tier imo.

 

[Flat Ronnie]

I don't mean to disparage the guy now, especially since things have picked up, but there are some realities of Kucherov's game that people love to ignore (Don't give me this Russian discriminatory ****, that's a weak card to play). Kucherov has lacked effort or made careless plays on plenty of occasions, especially early on in seasons. To deny this would be delusional. He does not compete as hard both ways as many of our players on a nightly basis. He has made plenty of plays over the years that would be grounds for benching/demotion of lesser players.

Even in the game last night, there were quite a few times he was in close proximity to the puck carrier and couldn't be bothered even trying to impede their progress, instead just keeping one hand on the stick and coasting back into the D zone, losing ground on his opponent. That's something you'll see from him every single game, because he cares more about offense than defense. I don't think he is consciously "not trying" as much as just prioritizing certain aspects of the game over others, but it's apparent nonetheless.

It's not really a concern of mine as he is obviously a great player who tends to raise his game when it matters most, but there are clear deficiencies when it comes to defensive effort and consistent compete level. When he's on his game, you live with it but when he's off, it's ugly. Fantastic player but these are the things that keep him out of that very top tier imo.

Nobody would (should) argue this.

 

[bov]

Nobody would (should) argue this.

Well apparently it's anti-Russian to suggest such things

In all seriousness, I don't want to seem down on him. He has looked more engaged since the benching against Dallas, and based on his second half last year I'm still holding out hope that he can crack 100.

 

[CupsOverCash]

I think he will amp up the offensive production but you are right about him being a liability at times. Really can get lazy defensively.

 

[Sky04]

He's the same player he's always been defensively. He doesn't dog it out like Cirelli, but he's not just cruising along like vintage ovy or Kessel. He's usually in good position and comes up with some timely steals.

Disagree, he was much more active defensively when he was in Cooper's doghouse. He used to make HUGE efforts on the backcheck that separated him from the "Ovy's," now it's just when he feels like it or when he's the one who caused the turnover. He does cheat more on offense now but he also scores more so there's a tradeoff.

It's typical for some players to let off when they get a longer leash but still, his 2 best playoff runs have come on seasons where he was the most defensively sound so it's not like playing better defense hurt his offensive production in the playoffs.

 

[DFC]

Disagree, he was much more active defensively when he was in Cooper's doghouse. He used to make HUGE efforts on the backcheck that separated him from the "Ovy's," now it's just when he feels like it or when he's the one who caused the turnover. He does cheat more on offense now but he also scores more so there's a tradeoff.

It's typical for some players to let off when they get a longer leash but still, his 2 best playoff runs have come on seasons where he was the most defensively sound so it's not like playing better defense hurt his offensive production in the playoffs.

By "always" I meant more his 86 - 128 point years.

 

[Sky04]

By "always" I meant more his 86 - 128 point years.

Well then yes but I think he needs to find a middle ground, "defensive liability and turnovers" were the last things associated with 2014-2016 Kucherov so it's not like he's incapable of playing with less risk.

 

[Lord Stan 2020]

i think he is getting lcose to blowing up thank god

 

[LightningStrikes]

Slowly climbing, 13th in scoring.

 

[VinikToWinIt]

Slowly climbing, 13th in scoring.

Kucherov's weening himself off his allergy medication.

Time to sneeze some points.

 

[Krewe]

Kuch is hitting 100 this year, book it.

Would make him only the third player in the lockout era to get three consecutive 100-pt seasons after Ovi and McDavid (Crosby would have had it without missing much of 2010-11)

 

[JoVel]

Kuch is hitting 100 this year, book it.

Would make him only the third player in the lockout era to get three consecutive 100-pt seasons after Ovi and McDavid (Crosby would have had it without missing much of 2010-11)

Needs 40 points in 31 games. Not exactly a tall order for him.

 

[Zwui21]

Kuch is hitting 100 this year, book it.

Would make him only the third player in the lockout era to get three consecutive 100-pt seasons after Ovi and McDavid (Crosby would have had it without missing much of 2010-11)

There's no doubt in my mind he will.
Powerplay still not working, once that picks up he'll have some 4 points night that will boost his point total

 

[Byrddog]

There's no doubt in my mind he will.
Powerplay still not working, once that picks up he'll have some 4 points night that will boost his point total

Both he and Stammer are due a couple of those 4 point nights and tonight could well be one of them.

 

[VinikToWinIt]

Both he and Stammer are due a couple of those 4 point nights and tonight could well be one of them.

Seems this year he’s been more consistent, less explosive in terms of getting on the scoresheet. We haven’t seen too many games where he’s piled on, but plenty with 1-2 points. In fact, he’s got 2 points in each of his last 5 games.

 

[Byrddog]

Seems this year he’s been more consistent, less explosive in terms of getting on the scoresheet. We haven’t seen too many games where he’s piled on, but plenty with 1-2 points. In fact, he’s got 2 points in each of his last 5 games.

Yes he had two 4 point games earlier but he has really stepped it up since having his ice time reduced that one game. If Coop keeps Point, Stammer and Kuch together there are going to be some big games coming. They should eat the Sharks tonight.

 

[Zwui21]

Kucherov currently riding a 8 games point streak (14 points in that span).
Ha also has 9 multi-points games in his last 13.

 

[Lord Stan 2020]

hes just strolling along and yes he tends to turn pucks over especially in beginnings of games.. yet deep in games when it matters and we are up he limits those..... hes a gambler we got a brett farve honestly im ok with that

 

[TheDaysOf 04]

Those who have played 500 games as a Bolt:

Lecavalier: 1037 gp
St. Louis: 972 gp
Stamkos: 797 gp
Hedman: 748 gp
Kubina: 662 gp
Killorn: 569 gp
Richards: 552 gp
Johnson: 518 gp

 

[TheDaysOf 04]

with 2 points tonight, Kuch moves past Matthews to tie Carlson for 10th in league scoring (Kuch has a game in hand on Carlson)

1. Draisaitl 83pts
2. McDavid 79pts
3. Pastrnak 75pts
4. MacKinnon 73pts
5. Panarin 71pts
6. Marchand 69pts
7. Eichel 66pts
8. Kane 66pts
9. Huberdeau 66pts
10. Kucherov 65pts
11. Carlson 65pts

 

[DFC]

Palat must be closing in on 500. Doesn't feel like he's missed THAT much more time than Johnson.

 

[BowDownToVasilevskiy]

Palat must be closing in on 500. Doesn't feel like he's missed THAT much more time than Johnson.

Palat needs 200 more

 

[Krewe]

Over/Under 99.5 points for Kuch?

His pace gets him 99.3 over 81 since he missed a game.

I am going to take the over on that personally. He has 24 in 16 since the new year

 

[Lord Stan 2020]

500 games and counting without name on the cup im counting kucherov get it done already

 

[JoVel]

Palat needs 200 more

Pretty sure he's talking about games played and not points. In which case Palat needs 20 more.