Tuesday, Oct 21st vs. Toronto - Could be the most important game of the season

[SLAPSHOT723]

I was thinking about the thread we have about which player will surprise us this season. I remembered Kulemin as some of your answers, which got me thinking.

Kulemin and Grabovski are both (probably) more motivated than most free agents when they start a new season with a new team. You can see the fire in Grabovski's eyes when he got bought out by Toronto. He hates Randy Carlyle and Dave Nonis. He wants to make them pay (figuratively and literally) for buying him out after treating him so poorly. Kulemin clearly wanted to be with Grabovski, and I'm sure was upset at the way Carlyle coached him. They want to prove that they can make an impact.

I see this game versus the Maple Leafs as the game that could define the Islanders season. They'll have already played 5 games, getting used to each other with a new goaltender and new forward depth. But this game will show what we have in Grabovski and Kulemin, and will pump serious motivation into the rest of the team if they win. I can see Grabovski running train on Phil Kessel or Joffrey Lupul, just to prove a point. I can see Kulemin blocking every shot as if his life depended on it, just to show Nonis that they're missing someone who will put his body on the line to help his team win.

This will be a very telling game, very similar to the way the Montreal game was the season they made the playoffs. Tavares said that game was the turning point to make them playoff bound.

The best part about this game, it's early in the season. Also very similar to the way the Avalanche won their first game of the season against the Ducks. The Avalanche were the second worst team in the league the season before. Then they made some changes and vowed to be different on the ice. Boom, they win their first game quite handedly against a Cup contender, and they go on to have a great season. I'm sure if they lost that game, they wouldn't have made the playoffs. And a little about the Avs, their defense on paper sucks, just like ours.

I think we should keep a close eye on this game as the season goes on, good or bad outcome.

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[Isles Junkie]

Sure I'll jump on board with this theory. Sounds great on paper. Though I do believe that a game so early on in a season, is difficult to categorize as season defining. Perhaps it will be season defining for the former maple leafs turned Islanders. Which I suppose in turn will be season defining for us. That 2nd line having a productive year is going to do wonders for us this year, because we know what we'll get from the 3rd & 4th line.

 

[original islander]

I was thinking about the thread we have about which player will surprise us this season. I remembered Kulemin as some of your answers, which got me thinking.

Kulemin and Grabovski are both (probably) more motivated than most free agents when they start a new season with a new team. You can see the fire in Grabovski's eyes when he got bought out by Toronto. He hates Randy Carlyle and Dave Nonis. He wants to make them pay (figuratively and literally) for buying him out after treating him so poorly. Kulemin clearly wanted to be with Grabovski, and I'm sure was upset at the way Carlyle coached him. They want to prove that they can make an impact.

I see this game versus the Maple Leafs as the game that could define the Islanders season. They'll have already played 5 games, getting used to each other with a new goaltender and new forward depth. But this game will show what we have in Grabovski and Kulemin, and will pump serious motivation into the rest of the team if they win. I can see Grabovski running train on Phil Kessel or Joffrey Lupul, just to prove a point. I can see Kulemin blocking every shot as if his life depended on it, just to show Nonis that they're missing someone who will put his body on the line to help his team win.

This will be a very telling game, very similar to the way the Montreal game was the season they made the playoffs. Tavares said that game was the turning point to make them playoff bound.

The best part about this game, it's early in the season. Also very similar to the way the Avalanche won their first game of the season against the Ducks. The Avalanche were the second worst team in the league the season before. Then they made some changes and vowed to be different on the ice. Boom, they win their first game quite handedly against a Cup contender, and they go on to have a great season. I'm sure if they lost that game, they wouldn't have made the playoffs. And a little about the Avs, their defense on paper sucks, just like ours.

I think we should keep a close eye on this game as the season goes on, good or bad outcome.

Good point. A game like this can definitely get a team headed in the right direction.

 

[Yashin for President]

great point, most people dont realize how important Kule and Grabo will be to us. After playing in Toronto and the way they were treated there im sure they will be on a mission. Been watching more and more of Kule and realizing hes not your average soft Russian.

 

[HockeyThoughts]

great point, most people dont realize how important Kule and Grabo will be to us. After playing in Toronto and the way they were treated there im sure they will be on a mission. Been watching more and more of Kule and realizing hes not your average soft Russian.

Nikolai Kulemin is the least prototypical Russian player you will see.

To put it simply, he's an absolute bull. At 6'1, ~220lb he has great size and uses every ounce of it to his advantage. When he's angry he'll run you over, otherwise he'll finish his check and hound you at all 200ft of the ice. Very, very responsible defensive player who uses his strength, stickwork and deceptive speed to make things happen. However, he is not the most creative player by any means and won't be "driving" the line. I've always thought that he's the kind of player thats a great "third wheel" on a skilled scoring line in the ilk of Mike Knuble or Scott Hartnell because not only does he add a hardworking two-way winger to your line, but he's also adept at faceoffs, great on the boards, goes right to the front of the net and possesses a very heavy shot.

Kulemin can slot in anywhere in your top 9. At first I'd imagine the New York Islanders will want to insert him with Mikhail Grabovski to get them accustomed to the Islander's style of game and use their instant chemistry to get them hot out of the gate but I wouldn't be surprised to see them broken up during the season to maximize their playing ability. You'll see Kulemin getting quality PK minutes, and if he's given the chance he can excel on the PP as well. He's great at puck possession and when he gets his shot off it is awesome. PP provides a player some more time and space where I think a guy like him could really excel.

The issue I see with Kulemin playing with Grabovski is that neither are really playmakers. Grabovski would benefit most from a playmaking winger, while Kulemin would benefit most from a playmaking center. However, they both have serious wheels and a motor that doesn't stop so they make things happen regardless.

Considering how motivated this twosome appears to be I would be really amped to see them in an Islander's uniform. I have my fingers crossed that Kulemin especially returns to offensive form and can really enter his prime in style.

Let me tell you this:

Kulemin is NOT David Clarkson.

Kulemin is great without the puck, a very strong skater, physical and has high hockey IQ. He is great on the PK and is a real glue guy on a scoring line.

Clarkson was a PP specialist who was willing to muck it up for ~100 games where he averaged a 30G pace and cashed in. He sucks without the puck and pretty much with it as well. His skating is so weak that when he tries to protect the puck he just gets knocked over. Clarkson has very low hockey IQ and is average defensively.

/endrant

 

[Kevin27NYI]

I feel like we start off 3W and 1L every year and then spiral immediately after, so yes, I think that this game would be important as will the games following. If it is a powder keg to get Grabo and Kulemin on a streak going into November, that'd be terrific.

 

[First Blood]

Nikolai Kulemin is the least prototypical Russian player you will see.

To put it simply, he's an absolute bull. At 6'1, ~220lb he has great size and uses every ounce of it to his advantage. When he's angry he'll run you over, otherwise he'll finish his check and hound you at all 200ft of the ice. Very, very responsible defensive player who uses his strength, stickwork and deceptive speed to make things happen. However, he is not the most creative player by any means and won't be "driving" the line. I've always thought that he's the kind of player thats a great "third wheel" on a skilled scoring line in the ilk of Mike Knuble or Scott Hartnell because not only does he add a hardworking two-way winger to your line, but he's also adept at faceoffs, great on the boards, goes right to the front of the net and possesses a very heavy shot.

Kulemin can slot in anywhere in your top 9. At first I'd imagine the New York Islanders will want to insert him with Mikhail Grabovski to get them accustomed to the Islander's style of game and use their instant chemistry to get them hot out of the gate but I wouldn't be surprised to see them broken up during the season to maximize their playing ability. You'll see Kulemin getting quality PK minutes, and if he's given the chance he can excel on the PP as well. He's great at puck possession and when he gets his shot off it is awesome. PP provides a player some more time and space where I think a guy like him could really excel.

The issue I see with Kulemin playing with Grabovski is that neither are really playmakers. Grabovski would benefit most from a playmaking winger, while Kulemin would benefit most from a playmaking center. However, they both have serious wheels and a motor that doesn't stop so they make things happen regardless.

Considering how motivated this twosome appears to be I would be really amped to see them in an Islander's uniform. I have my fingers crossed that Kulemin especially returns to offensive form and can really enter his prime in style.

Let me tell you this:

Kulemin is NOT David Clarkson.

Kulemin is great without the puck, a very strong skater, physical and has high hockey IQ. He is great on the PK and is a real glue guy on a scoring line.

Clarkson was a PP specialist who was willing to muck it up for ~100 games where he averaged a 30G pace and cashed in. He sucks without the puck and pretty much with it as well. His skating is so weak that when he tries to protect the puck he just gets knocked over. Clarkson has very low hockey IQ and is average defensively.

/endrant

Which is why I am hoping Strome can be on the 2nd line with them

 

[SI90]

Nikolai Kulemin is the least prototypical Russian player you will see.

To put it simply, he's an absolute bull. At 6'1, ~220lb he has great size and uses every ounce of it to his advantage. When he's angry he'll run you over, otherwise he'll finish his check and hound you at all 200ft of the ice. Very, very responsible defensive player who uses his strength, stickwork and deceptive speed to make things happen. However, he is not the most creative player by any means and won't be "driving" the line. I've always thought that he's the kind of player thats a great "third wheel" on a skilled scoring line in the ilk of Mike Knuble or Scott Hartnell because not only does he add a hardworking two-way winger to your line, but he's also adept at faceoffs, great on the boards, goes right to the front of the net and possesses a very heavy shot.

Kulemin can slot in anywhere in your top 9. At first I'd imagine the New York Islanders will want to insert him with Mikhail Grabovski to get them accustomed to the Islander's style of game and use their instant chemistry to get them hot out of the gate but I wouldn't be surprised to see them broken up during the season to maximize their playing ability. You'll see Kulemin getting quality PK minutes, and if he's given the chance he can excel on the PP as well. He's great at puck possession and when he gets his shot off it is awesome. PP provides a player some more time and space where I think a guy like him could really excel.

The issue I see with Kulemin playing with Grabovski is that neither are really playmakers. Grabovski would benefit most from a playmaking winger, while Kulemin would benefit most from a playmaking center. However, they both have serious wheels and a motor that doesn't stop so they make things happen regardless.

Considering how motivated this twosome appears to be I would be really amped to see them in an Islander's uniform. I have my fingers crossed that Kulemin especially returns to offensive form and can really enter his prime in style.

Let me tell you this:

Kulemin is NOT David Clarkson.

Kulemin is great without the puck, a very strong skater, physical and has high hockey IQ. He is great on the PK and is a real glue guy on a scoring line.

Clarkson was a PP specialist who was willing to muck it up for ~100 games where he averaged a 30G pace and cashed in. He sucks without the puck and pretty much with it as well. His skating is so weak that when he tries to protect the puck he just gets knocked over. Clarkson has very low hockey IQ and is average defensively.

/endrant

Thank you for taking the time to do this, very insightful. Most Isles fans envision Strome on the Kulemin Grabovski line so that could be an answer for playmaking.

 

[Cavonnier]

Nikolai Kulemin is the least prototypical Russian player you will see.

Thanks so much for your analysis. And, to repeat what others have said, PUT GRABOVSKI AND KULEMIN ON A LINE WITH STROME!

 

[Yashin for President]

Nice writeup Hockeythoughts! Im sure a few Islander fans didnt know that about Kule. So many different line scenarios but Strome would be what that line needs.

 

[dtrain24]

Nikolai Kulemin is the least prototypical Russian player you will see.

To put it simply, he's an absolute bull. At 6'1, ~220lb he has great size and uses every ounce of it to his advantage. When he's angry he'll run you over, otherwise he'll finish his check and hound you at all 200ft of the ice. Very, very responsible defensive player who uses his strength, stickwork and deceptive speed to make things happen. However, he is not the most creative player by any means and won't be "driving" the line. I've always thought that he's the kind of player thats a great "third wheel" on a skilled scoring line in the ilk of Mike Knuble or Scott Hartnell because not only does he add a hardworking two-way winger to your line, but he's also adept at faceoffs, great on the boards, goes right to the front of the net and possesses a very heavy shot.

Kulemin can slot in anywhere in your top 9. At first I'd imagine the New York Islanders will want to insert him with Mikhail Grabovski to get them accustomed to the Islander's style of game and use their instant chemistry to get them hot out of the gate but I wouldn't be surprised to see them broken up during the season to maximize their playing ability. You'll see Kulemin getting quality PK minutes, and if he's given the chance he can excel on the PP as well. He's great at puck possession and when he gets his shot off it is awesome. PP provides a player some more time and space where I think a guy like him could really excel.

The issue I see with Kulemin playing with Grabovski is that neither are really playmakers. Grabovski would benefit most from a playmaking winger, while Kulemin would benefit most from a playmaking center. However, they both have serious wheels and a motor that doesn't stop so they make things happen regardless.

Considering how motivated this twosome appears to be I would be really amped to see them in an Islander's uniform. I have my fingers crossed that Kulemin especially returns to offensive form and can really enter his prime in style.

Let me tell you this:

Kulemin is NOT David Clarkson.

Kulemin is great without the puck, a very strong skater, physical and has high hockey IQ. He is great on the PK and is a real glue guy on a scoring line.

Clarkson was a PP specialist who was willing to muck it up for ~100 games where he averaged a 30G pace and cashed in. He sucks without the puck and pretty much with it as well. His skating is so weak that when he tries to protect the puck he just gets knocked over. Clarkson has very low hockey IQ and is average defensively.

/endrant

Thanks for taking the time to post that! Definitely makes me look forward to seeing what Grabo and Kuli can do together.

Also, gonna echo everyone else here- put Strome with them!!!

 

[BarBeauWahlDobLok]

I was thinking about the thread we have about which player will surprise us this season. I remembered Kulemin as some of your answers, which got me thinking.

Kulemin and Grabovski are both (probably) more motivated than most free agents when they start a new season with a new team. You can see the fire in Grabovski's eyes when he got bought out by Toronto. He hates Randy Carlyle and Dave Nonis. He wants to make them pay (figuratively and literally) for buying him out after treating him so poorly. Kulemin clearly wanted to be with Grabovski, and I'm sure was upset at the way Carlyle coached him. They want to prove that they can make an impact.

I see this game versus the Maple Leafs as the game that could define the Islanders season. They'll have already played 5 games, getting used to each other with a new goaltender and new forward depth. But this game will show what we have in Grabovski and Kulemin, and will pump serious motivation into the rest of the team if they win. I can see Grabovski running train on Phil Kessel or Joffrey Lupul, just to prove a point. I can see Kulemin blocking every shot as if his life depended on it, just to show Nonis that they're missing someone who will put his body on the line to help his team win.

This will be a very telling game, very similar to the way the Montreal game was the season they made the playoffs. Tavares said that game was the turning point to make them playoff bound.

The best part about this game, it's early in the season. Also very similar to the way the Avalanche won their first game of the season against the Ducks. The Avalanche were the second worst team in the league the season before. Then they made some changes and vowed to be different on the ice. Boom, they win their first game quite handedly against a Cup contender, and they go on to have a great season. I'm sure if they lost that game, they wouldn't have made the playoffs. And a little about the Avs, their defense on paper sucks, just like ours.

I think we should keep a close eye on this game as the season goes on, good or bad outcome.

I hesitate to view any particular game as "the most important" - I completely agree that the two former Maple Leafs will be up for this game, but I would liken it to being up for an Islander/Ranger game.

If it's actually a springboard for the remainder of the season, that's great, but I think it's a lot to count on.

 

[JTforPres2012]

I think it's right to phrase that it's the most important game in the beginning of the season to set the tone for the rest of the year. Obviously as we have seen in the past, it seems like every game is the "most important" when it comes to the final weeks of the season.

 

[BarBeauWahlDobLok]

I think it's right to phrase that it's the most important game in the beginning of the season to set the tone for the rest of the year. Obviously as we have seen in the past, it seems like every game is the "most important" when it comes to the final weeks of the season.

If they can get through the months that end "er" with a winning record, that will be a nice change for this franchise.

 

[GrandmaSlices51631]

Love the enthusiasm. That's the kind of talk we need around here. I hope all those statements materialize. This Duo are the grinders we've needed. Though I know they want to be together i'd really like to see what Grabovski could do on JT's wing. MG-JT-KO, I doubt it'll happen but they could really do some damage.... more likely to see Nelson, Strome or Lee there in that order. It's a pretty good feeling to be able to say no matter who winds up on that line it will still be a force to be reckoned with.

 

[OlTimeHockey]

Kulemon and Grabovski will endure a year or two with Strome until Petrov is over here and proving naysayers wrong. Bank on it. Or you can take that to the bank. No, that was a Steven Seagal movie. I dunno....I don't have the Petrov mojo going tonight.

 

[SLAPSHOT723]

Love the enthusiasm. That's the kind of talk we need around here. I hope all those statements materialize. This Duo are the grinders we've needed. Though I know they want to be together i'd really like to see what Grabovski could do on JT's wing. MG-JT-KO, I doubt it'll happen but they could really do some damage.... more likely to see Nelson, Strome or Lee there in that order. It's a pretty good feeling to be able to say no matter who winds up on that line it will still be a force to be reckoned with.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Best.Username.Ever.

 

[Poulin 0n My St1ck]

I save all of my Islanders-related anxiety for November. October is still too early, but it could help the team pick up some steam headed into that dreaded month.

If the Islanders come out of November a few games above .500, we could see some beautiful things the rest of the season.

 

[StumpNYI]

I save all of my Islanders-related anxiety for November. October is still too early, but it could help the team pick up some steam headed into that dreaded month.

If the Islanders come out of November a few games above .500, we could see some beautiful things the rest of the season.

Came here to post this. If this one game can at least get us through November then then yes, it appears this game will be important for the entire season. Not to mention all of the local boys seem to step up their game and we have like 10 of them lol. Playing Toronto will be fun this year.

 

[dtrain24]

Came here to post this. If this one game can at least get us through November then then yes, it appears this game will be important for the entire season. Not to mention all of the local boys seem to step up their game and we have like 10 of them lol. Playing Toronto will be fun this year.

Oh yeah. Especially in Toronto. JT will be fired up playing in his hometown again, Grabovski and Kulemin will want to put on a show for Maple Leaf fans and basically tell their former team to suck it, etc. It's gonna be great.

 

[Doshell Propivo]

It's a must-win.

 

[Doshell Propivo]

The Avalanche were the second worst team in the league the season before. Then they made some changes and vowed to be different on the ice. Boom, they win their first game quite handedly against a Cup contender, and they go on to have a great season. I'm sure if they lost that game, they wouldn't have made the playoffs.

Really?

 

[SLAPSHOT723]

Really?

Yeah, I really think that. I watched that game. They were as fired up as any team I've ever seen to start the season. If the Ducks had made it a game, the Avs confidence would not have been that high, and they wouldn't have been as good a team as they were. Plus, Roy trying to fight Boudreau brought the players and the fans back into a winning mentality.

Obviously Roy had a lot to do with that, and I don't think Capuano will be the guy to turn the mindset around. It will be the players.