FDfranklin
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Also just remembered.. when we had the goalie pulled Crombeen was out there instead of Kuch.. I don't understand.
Player Discussion: Nikita Kucherov
- Thread starter phillycheesesteak
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CarpeNoctem
Chilling w The Chief
The Macho King
Back* to Back** World Champion
- Jun 22, 2011
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Alright - here's my schpiel on Kuch...
He loves to shoot. That's not surprising and it's something we don't really have enough of on the team, especially right now. Him being up here is amazing just for that. But we knew he would have that. The thing that's blowing my mind is everything else.
His hands are ridiculous. He has the same type of talent that Flip or Purcell has, where for some reason he's the one that comes out of a group of players with the puck. His vision is top notch - put him with some talent and he's a lock for 35-35 in my opinion. Someone that can get him the puck and someone that can finish. He'll be a mainstay on the second line. I think our depth scoring issues that we have right now will disappear in the future.
Damn is he slick out there too. He's got that pickpocket mentality. That thing is his, and when you have it - he wants it back. He's never going to lay someone out, but man, he could develop into Datsyukian levels of grand theft out there. I love this kid. So impressed with his complete game. When Stamkos comes back I won't be mad if he goes down to get more of an opportunity to be "the guy" - but it will be a short trip. He's a lock for the lineup next season.
He loves to shoot. That's not surprising and it's something we don't really have enough of on the team, especially right now. Him being up here is amazing just for that. But we knew he would have that. The thing that's blowing my mind is everything else.
His hands are ridiculous. He has the same type of talent that Flip or Purcell has, where for some reason he's the one that comes out of a group of players with the puck. His vision is top notch - put him with some talent and he's a lock for 35-35 in my opinion. Someone that can get him the puck and someone that can finish. He'll be a mainstay on the second line. I think our depth scoring issues that we have right now will disappear in the future.
Damn is he slick out there too. He's got that pickpocket mentality. That thing is his, and when you have it - he wants it back. He's never going to lay someone out, but man, he could develop into Datsyukian levels of grand theft out there. I love this kid. So impressed with his complete game. When Stamkos comes back I won't be mad if he goes down to get more of an opportunity to be "the guy" - but it will be a short trip. He's a lock for the lineup next season.
LightningStrikes
Champa Bay Lightning
- Nov 24, 2009
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Coopers Gum
Extend Andrej Sustr
Sky04
Registered User
- Jan 8, 2009
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He looks slick because he reads plays so well, however my main concern is that he is completely undersized out there, maybe that's why Coop is sheltering him, one big hit and he could be out for a while. I wouldn't be against him going down either, in fact I think it'd be the ideal move for his development, he now has a taste of the big leagues and can continue working as the go-to guy in the AHL. Send him to MSL's trainer or Gary Robert's this summer and he'll come out even better next season.
The Macho King
Back* to Back** World Champion
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Yeah, I don't have a problem with "sheltering" him, but at the same time his Even Strength playtime isn't what's pissing everyone off, it's the lack of PP time. I totally think for numerous reasons - conditioning and injury among them - that he should be at 15-17 minutes a night. It's just a good 2-4 of those minutes should be sitting in the circle with his stick ready to bang in one-timers.
Edit: Oh yeah, and I think while he has a TON of talent, the most impressive thing is his hockey IQ. I like the way Tampa is drafting. Skilled, smart players (not counting Derrrrrne).
Purcell's hands are overrated. He doesn't operate in traffic like Kucherov, or Filppula, but instead he takes the puck to areas are perfectly comfortable letting him handle the puck.
Kucherov looks like the only thing he needs right now is a genuine opportunity to score. He didn't register a point tonight, but he was our best skater.
The Macho King
Back* to Back** World Champion
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He's our most dangerous skater with JT Brown, who's a good energy guy and a good puck hound but not the most skilled, and Nate Thompson, who is also a great player, but not incredibly skilled. Put him with some guys that can either feed him the puck well or finish what he starts, and watch the points flow.
I like him with Nate. Thompson is a guy who can do the dirty work for a skilled player like Kucherov. Purcell/Kuch in limited time together have looked very dangerous. I would love to see Thompson-Kucherov-Purcell as a third line. Purcell/Flip hasn't worked all year.
FDfranklin
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TheDaysOf 04
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Tampa Bay Kiwi
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TheDaysOf 04
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LightningStrikes
Champa Bay Lightning
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Can't remember what he tried on the miss. But yeah, this was the same move he scored his first SO goal on. Wish we could have both videos up to see how similar they were.
TheDaysOf 04
[ 2 6 ] [ 4 ]
The Macho King
Back* to Back** World Champion
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Honestly, I've never seen that move go five hole before. I think Nabby played it really well, and Kuch was able to adjust and bring it back a bit.
Or maybe I'm giving him too much credit. Either way, gotta love a young guy that's not afraid to do something creative in the shootout.
Except for Omark, of course. That was classless.
Or maybe I'm giving him too much credit. Either way, gotta love a young guy that's not afraid to do something creative in the shootout.
Except for Omark, of course. That was classless.
Bolt32
Registered User
I'm just worried we will be sending him back to the Cuse when everyone gets healthy. 
I was contemplating next years lines....Well let me know what you think.
Killorn-Stamkos-MSL
Drouin-Flippula-Kucherov
Palat-Johnson-Purcell
Pyatt-Thompson-Panik/Crombeen.
I just think this kid is too good for the AHL, if he takes his weight training seriously in the offseason, then really the sky is the limit for this kid. I'm starting to see a trend, that in our 2004 cup winning team it was built around 4 players. MSL, Richards, VL and Dan Boyle.
Now we have Stamkos, Hedman, Drouin and so far it looks like that fourth player is Kucherov. He has all of the tools, he really worked hard on his defense as shown when he is playing so he isn't a all offensive player anymore. His hands are just ridiculous, and the only person on this team that can say they have a better shot than him is Stamkos.
I was contemplating next years lines....Well let me know what you think.
Killorn-Stamkos-MSL
Drouin-Flippula-Kucherov
Palat-Johnson-Purcell
Pyatt-Thompson-Panik/Crombeen.
I just think this kid is too good for the AHL, if he takes his weight training seriously in the offseason, then really the sky is the limit for this kid. I'm starting to see a trend, that in our 2004 cup winning team it was built around 4 players. MSL, Richards, VL and Dan Boyle.
Now we have Stamkos, Hedman, Drouin and so far it looks like that fourth player is Kucherov. He has all of the tools, he really worked hard on his defense as shown when he is playing so he isn't a all offensive player anymore. His hands are just ridiculous, and the only person on this team that can say they have a better shot than him is Stamkos.
The Macho King
Back* to Back** World Champion
- Jun 22, 2011
- 48,730
- 29,191
I'm just worried we will be sending him back to the Cuse when everyone gets healthy.
I was contemplating next years lines....Well let me know what you think.
Killorn-Stamkos-MSL
Drouin-Flippula-Kucherov
Palat-Johnson-Purcell
Pyatt-Thompson-Panik/Crombeen.
I just think this kid is too good for the AHL, if he takes his weight training seriously in the offseason, then really the sky is the limit for this kid. I'm starting to see a trend, that in our 2004 cup winning team it was built around 4 players. MSL, Richards, VL and Dan Boyle.
Now we have Stamkos, Hedman, Drouin and so far it looks like that fourth player is Kucherov. He has all of the tools, he really worked hard on his defense as shown when he is playing so he isn't a all offensive player anymore. His hands are just ridiculous, and the only person on this team that can say they have a better shot than him is Stamkos.
I mean, the only reason he "needs" to go back to Syracuse is his size, but at the same time he has not looked out of place because of it... he's pretty shifty and has such good hands he actually does pretty well along the boards despite his size.
I think the best thing would be able to roll two PPs with Stammer on the top and Kuch on the second, and actually work the puck to them instead of this hot potato ******** we're doing right now.
CarpeNoctem
Chilling w The Chief
Size is tremendously overrated to a player who heavily relies on vision. I don't want to see him sent back down for the sake of it. Get him PP time. Let him develop now.
LTIR Trickery
Plz stop pucks
FDfranklin
868686
- Jan 21, 2013
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I honestly think the kid is going to be great and can't see him being sent down. I just get worried with all these forwards. Last season we were talking about Conacher just the same as we are about Kucherov now. Yzerman better not break my heart.
About size.. Is Garry Roberts exclusive to only certain players? What's stopping Kuch from training with him in the off season and why don't all of our players do it?
About size.. Is Garry Roberts exclusive to only certain players? What's stopping Kuch from training with him in the off season and why don't all of our players do it?
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