Speculation: Will Nikolai Kulemin re-sign in Toronto?

[ULF_55]

i hope so. really underrated player

Misused player.

I'd like to see him move on to a team who'd better utilize his skillset.

 

[JackJ]

Not a chance. He can mooch a higher ice time, point totals and dollars with his buddy Malkin.

 

[The Caveman]

You don't think we will be a playoff team?

I hope that they do make it, and I am Mr Positive here. But there lack of defence, ability to break out of their zone, and we have seen no real improvement over the year, scares the **** out of me.

 

[The Caveman]

Shouldn't have to. ~21 million (probably more - just going off capgeek projection) to sign Bolland, Gardiner, Kulemin, McClemment, Holland, most notably.

There are others but who knows what happens. It's important we keep Bolland and Kulemin moving forward. We don't have a two-way forward in the system that plays to Kulemin's caliber.

Agreed that he is a very good defensive forward. His two-way game seems to have disappeared for good. I don't think he's worth more than $3M and he might be able to get us a high first, or a decent prospect in return. Have to know when to cut bait - that's what the good franchises do.

I know he's not popular on these boards, but I like what Ashton has brought to the team this year. Big body, good speed and decent hockey sense. He could be a very good 3rd line guy for us in the future as he learns his defensive game even more.

 

[Pyrophorus]

Depends on the Olympics - it really does. I don't think he'll be back anyways.

Kulemin is penciled into play with Malkin. If they have success, I feel that Kulemin will have the itch to be an offensive forward again and go to Pittsburgh to play with his BFF and be on a contending team. Can't really blame him.

A lot of us know how good he is and can be around here but he gets almost no respect from any of our casual fanbase, it's sad.

Hmmmm...

Its seems like his offense is all on him.
He is the prototypical definition of Gretzky's "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take". He can score, but he needs to shoot which he
doesn't. I don't know, how Geno (or anyone) will convince him to shoot more.

Since he can play any role on any line, the only thing I can think of, is the both he and RC, have come to prefer his defensive game, so
he doesn't really concentrate on his offensive game, i.e. shots.
He may regain it, may if by some chance, he slots in where
JVR is. No, I don't see that happening.

What teams would he be a top 6 on?

I do hope we can resign him, but many seem to want him gone, just because he will for some "green tea and cheesecake" reason.

 

[Pyrophorus]

Not a chance. He can mooch a higher ice time, point totals and dollars with his buddy Malkin.

Who is he displacing in their top 6?
Why based (on his production), would the Pens pay more for him?

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I hope that they do make it, and I am Mr Positive here. But there lack of defence, ability to break out of their zone, and we have seen no real improvement over the year, scares the **** out of me.

I don't think it is as bad as some say. I do think there are some holes on this team and some people that need to be upgraded on but I also think this is a team that can do some damage and. Is not far from being a contender.

I think once Bolland comes back this team will come together again I think we are 2 players away from being a contender because beyond the pens and bruins the east isn't that good

 

[Pyrophorus]

The KHL will be the wildcard. A lot of people will dismiss the KHL, overlooking their obvious business strategy: They aren't interested in getting Canadians or Americans or even Swedes there from the NHL, they're interested in Russians and those from the former Soviet bloc. It is a lot easier to get someone who speaks the language and is familiar with the culture, especially if you overpay, then it is to convince others. And there's enough players of that background where you can have a very competitive league, arguably the second best in the world, and getting better.

For that reason, I think there is some reason to worry, though no reason to look at it as a foregone conclusion. Kulemin regularly plays for the Russian National Team, making him an attractive target for KHL teams. He also produced near a point-per-game in his lockout stint, meaning they could pay more because they're paying for an offensive player and we'd be paying for a defensive one. In the end, its all up to Kulemin. We can only offer him $3-3.5 million, unless his production picks up again. He could probably get close to $5 million in the KHL.

He was the MVP of the RSL, he started there, he conquered, he moved on. He has nothing more to prove there.

There is also the "Fetisov syndrome". After years of playing in the
NHL, he thought he would go back home. However; he had raised
a family in North America, and they were Americans. His children
had no reason or will, since to them, there was no "going back"
He still lives here today.

The longer he stays, the longer native Torontonian Alexei, and his
native Torontonian sibling, would not consider Magnitogorsk as home.

 

[goonx]

Remember Nonis always said he doesn't start talks with players until they approach him to say they want to play.

I think we will shortly know if kule will stay. I think his time at Sochi will really determine that. If he loves playing with his fellow russians, he will be leaving and traded. There are AHLers that are ready to compete for jobs during the next camp.

 

[chethejet]

I would be surprised if was not wearing pens sweater either this year in a trade or next year UFA. He can elevate his game and play with Malkin which is not easy to do.

 

[ACC1224]

He seems certain to me to hit Free Agency, I'd say he's gone.

 

[bobbyflex]

Kulemin has been playing with all sorts of confidence the last couple of games. I don't know what gotten into him. Loving the chemistry with him, Holland and Clarkson

 

[Daisy Jane]

Remember Nonis always said he doesn't start talks with players until they approach him to say they want to play.

I think we will shortly know if kule will stay. I think his time at Sochi will really determine that. If he loves playing with his fellow russians, he will be leaving and traded. There are AHLers that are ready to compete for jobs during the next camp.

exactly.
that's why we've not heard anything regarding Kules. So either he doesn't know yet, or he doesn't. (Or he's super quiet and told Nonis and Nonis is working on Bolland/McClement first)?

 

[Banic]

Kulemin has been playing with all sorts of confidence the last couple of games. I don't know what gotten into him. Loving the chemistry with him, Holland and Clarkson

They make for a good line. They are able to maintain puck possession it seems.

 

[SprDaVE]

I'd love to keep him but it will have to be at a fair and realistic price.

I'm not sure we can afford going much over 4M over a 4-5 years though. If he can sign for under that for a few years, I would easily welcome him with open arms.

 

[JackJ]

Who is he displacing in their top 6?
Why based (on his production), would the Pens pay more for him?

I doubt hes signing the last contract of his career. Probably a 1-2yr to start.

 

[Porn*]

he'll test UFA but end up staying because of his family... just a hunch.

 

[BonMorrison]

As he's my favorite player, obviously I'd want him to stay.

That said, I'm tired of seeing "fans" like the ones on the TML Facebook page drag his name through the mud whenever it pops up on their feed and whatnot. Would like to see him go to a team where the fanbase would appreciate what he brings a little bit more.

 

[AINEC*]

I will be sad if he goes, but I will be happy when he's given a bigger role elsewhere.

 

[Faltorvo]

he'll test UFA but end up staying because of his family... just a hunch.

If he is still a UFA come TD then he should be shipped out.

I'm a big Kuli fan but no one overrides team first.

Get him inked or get assets at the TD.

 

[Silver91]

If he comes in at/around his current salary, then sure, keep him. But he's not worth >3M, not when he doesn't shoot the puck enough to justify faith in his scoring ability. I'd give him 12/4 max, but no longer and no higher. I love Kulie, but he is what he is, and as solid defensively as he is, you can't get by paying a PK specialist $3M.

 

[ACC1224]

he'll test UFA but end up staying because of his family... just a hunch.

I would think he'd take his family with him.

 

[Penalty Kill Icing*]

How old are his kids?

Our best bet is him choosing T.O as his kids are growing up here.

Not many may agree, but I think he is more important to us than Bolland.

 

[4evaBlue]

I dont know but we'd be stupid not to give our best try to sign him. He's like our only legit 2 way forward.

He's about as much of a two-way player as McClement. If you're looking for an actual two-way player, look no firther than Bozak.

Anything over $3m will be an overpayment for what Kulemin brings to the table.

 

[indigobuffalo]

Kulemin has very rough English, I remember a few years ago he couldn't even speak English and needed Grabovsky to do most of the talking for him.

I don't think anyone on the roster anymore speaks a foreign language other than him...

IMO that'd be reason enough to want to look elsewhere for a contract. Teams will go after him so he would definitely get more money elsewhere.

Unless Toronto brings back Komarov, then he'd probably be happier staying...

Dunno... would be really happy to have him stay. He's a good, blue-collar player.