Nikolai Kulemin

[Rayzorexe]

We all know that Kulemin is one of our best defensive players on the team and in the last few seasons, his goal production has dropped. I just saw the stat on TSN showing that he's only taken 3 shots this season in the 8 games he's played.

Anyone got an idea why he isn't shooting the puck as much anymore?

http://www.tsn.ca/toronto/blogs/jonas_siegel/?id=436824

Click to read more...

 

[Phion Keneuf]

Lack of confidence. Guy has all the talent to be a 25 goal scorer, he's always looking to get the puck off his stick asap by passing it off and isn't looking to score.

 

[Intact]

Kulemin's drop from his 30 goal season shocked me, he clearly has the tools to be a top-6 player

 

[veedubn1]

He'll be missed when he goes to the KHL or the Penguins this offseason...


Meh.

 

[Kingstonian84*]

Here's the problem with Kulemin he is not a natural goal scorer or offensive player, he's no Phil Kessel! Kulemin has a hard shot, and he has decent hand/eye coordination but he needs to be within 15-20 feet of the net and to shoot the puck a lot to be effective, not to mention when he scored his 30 goals that one year he also had a lot of powerplay time.

Kulemin's also lost all the confidence in whatever offense he does have, he's no longer shooting (hence 3 shots in 8 games), no longer driving the net like a boss and he's off the powerplay units.

I doubt Kulemin ever hits 30 again, but if he can start shooting again and get at least some 2ndary powerplay time I think he can net 15-20/40-45pts.

 

[firstemperor]

Looks like they made him into a bottom 6 grinder by default, before he was aggressive on forecheck, crash net, etc. Now he's more dump and kill time type player. I think it's just the way he's being used now.

 

[Eyedea]

He's not getting the time and space to shoot. He's usually out there with McClement shutting down top lines by dumping, chasing and cycling the puck.

 

[thewave]

Looks like they made him into a bottom 6 grinder by default, before he was aggressive on forecheck, crash net, etc. Now he's more dump and kill time type player. I think it's just the way he's being used now.

It's true, he is being used this way. His numbers are not different from Grabo in that 3rd line. This is largely a part of how RC third lines produce.

I imagine he will not choose to resign here. Probably end up in Washington or Pits. He is top 6 material.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

It's true, he is being used this way. His numbers are not different from Grabo in that 3rd line. This is largely a part of how RC third lines produce.

I imagine he will not choose to resign here. Probably end up in Washington or Pits. He is top 6 material.

You think he would rather play with tunnel vision than Malkin? The Pens would target Kulemin hard in the off season. He's a perfect fit for that club.

 

[Sonofamitch]

The less goals he scores the cheaper he sign him next year.

 

[veedubn1]

if it came down to Bolland or Kule, I hope we let Kule walk and sign Bolland.

Raymond can (and will) walk too.

We have enough 3rd line types playing in the AHL who can join us... guys like Lievo and Ashton should be ready for an extended stay at the ACC next season.

Kule had some memorable moments as a Leaf, but unfortunately they were all during losing seasons.

 

[Mapleleafs Fan*]

I think while Kule is in the TML we are never gonna win the cup because of his demand next year. He deserves to play top 6 and win cup, and will fit in Pens perfectly. He's been excellent for us and he will always be remembered as a leaf, but it's time for him to walk towards the different path and find success somewhere else.

 

[New Liskeard]

He'll be missed when he goes to the KHL or the Penguins this offseason...


Meh.

Pens maybe, KHL no. Kulemin has shown no interest in playing in the KHL. If Yak had half of Nik's work ethic, and defensive efforts, he would actually be a player.

 

[InterceptSchenn]

I think while Kule is in the TML we are never gonna win the cup because of his demand next year. He deserves to play top 6 and win cup, and will fit in Pens perfectly. He's been excellent for us and he will always be remembered as a leaf, but it's time for him to walk towards the different path and find success somewhere else.

Why does he deserve top 6? He has stone hands since 2011. Offense has completely disappeared. At this point, he is not even a 3rd liner. He is a 4th line, checker who can PK - a defensive specialist. He has no reason to "demand" anything more than what he is making at the moment. If he leaves, meh. There are tons of Nik Kulemin's out there.

 

[Larcos_Unal]

Kulemin is serious trade bait for the deadline. Yes he's good defensively but he's going to ask for a raise, and he does not deserve one, we may as well get something back.

Oh and trade him to the West just in case.

 

[Wendelstache]

his problem is he's too good defensively, now he's relegated to the shutting down the other team's #1 line.
lets face it, as much as we love mclement he's useless when it comes to generating any offense.

i'll be sad when kulie walks this summer and join malkin in pittsburg because we have no cap space.

 

[New Liskeard]

Kulemin is serious trade bait for the deadline. Yes he's good defensively but he's going to ask for a raise, and he does not deserve one, we may as well get something back.

Oh and trade him to the West just in case.

Kulemin and the rest of the UFA's will not get traded at the deadline at all, if the Leafs are in the playoffs.

 

[Raym11]

hes still very timid with the puck. Everything went right for him his 30 goal season. Love Kulemin and no complaints about any other part of his game though. He's in a defensive role now and thats fine to me



But yeah, 5 years now and still looks scared handling the puck, i dont see it changing but i do expect him to score 10-15 goals

 

[ULF_55]

He's being used in a defensive role, and without any playmaking line-mates.

Give him a center that can pass, or a winger who uses his line-mates and he'd put up more points. Heck, last year he was 4th. on the team for even strength points, while being 2nd. in hits and 1st. in blocks for forwards.

Considering the role they play, I'm surprised McClement and Kulemin are both plus players.

You have to wonder how much Kulemin likes Toronto, which should determine whether he re-signs or resigns from the team.

He is an underrated playmaker, recently 2 plays stand out, one the slap-pass to Kadri for the near goal (some of the Leafs would have just shot at the net - Jason Blake syndrome) and the other was the pass to IIRC Smithson who was in perfect position only to fan on the shot. Go back to his games with Bozak and Kessel to see how capable he is of passing and setting up teammates. Let's face it, Raymond made a good pass yesterday, but he's no playmaker and McClement has 124 assists in 620 games. Kulemin has 102 in 359 games. (Clarkson has 76 in 436 games)

 

[The Winter Soldier]

He's being used in a defensive role, and without any playmaking line-mates.

Give him a center that can pass, or a winger who uses his line-mates and he'd put up more points. Heck, last year he was 4th. on the team for even strength points, while being 2nd. in hits and 1st. in blocks for forwards.

Considering the role they play, I'm surprised McClement and Kulemin are both plus players.

You have to wonder how much Kulemin likes Toronto, which should determine whether he re-signs or resigns from the team.

I floated this months ago, but if Pens came calling for Kule, I would do a Orpik deal straight up. And hope we don't meet until late in the playoffs.

Crosby Kunitz Dupuis
Malkin Kulemin Neal

How's that for a top 6.?

Leafs would get some support for Dion. Makes sense for both teams. Kule looks like a tough signing next summer.

 

[Mapleleafs Fan*]

Why does he deserve top 6? He has stone hands since 2011. Offense has completely disappeared. At this point, he is not even a 3rd liner. He is a 4th line, checker who can PK - a defensive specialist. He has no reason to "demand" anything more than what he is making at the moment. If he leaves, meh. There are tons of Nik Kulemin's out there.

You just don't see it, do you? You lack the observation in a match, it's good that you're just a fan and not anything more than that to hockey. It's not like he can't score or can't put up the goals. You can see clearly in last night's match that he can find the top corner in a hard pass. He is what he is. He is being used for a shut down role and playing with McClement and Raymond(just one night and he scores)/Ashton.

Give Kulemin Bolland and Raymond once they're healthy or Holland and Raymond after Kadri and Bozak returns and watch him putting up the points. It's not a kids' play to kill the penalty. It needs a serious dedication and attention at the play on the ice without the puck. I won't wonder a bit if he asks for a raise.

IMHO he deserves whatever he will ask. He has served leafs very well over the bad times and my hat will always go off for him.

 

[BodaciousBeefBazooka]

kulemin= meh...nothing special and nothing spectacular. Way overly loved on here by many

 

[realgoodleafs]

I think he'll walk this summer and go to Pittsburgh.

 

[Pinto]

Sadly, I don't see him sticking around in the summer. Shame, I've always been a big Kulemin supporter.

 

[Antropovsky]

He's got no confidence with the puck, He gets to the blueline, dumps and chases, rarely ever attempting to carry the pick or make a power move to the net. Also he looks slower this year. Kulemin has an excellent shot, coaching staff needs to be coaxing him to use it as much as he can, he needs to be up around 2 shots a game at least! It's sad, so much skill but such fragile confidence.