Kooled-Off Kulemin

[freer]

IMO, he is doing everything right other then scoring, he has been playing hard, hitting and has been good defensively, with exception of a small mistake. I think that he will come out of his funk soon.

 

[Tigger]

When you're in a funk like this - it's a process.  A long, slow, cruel process.

Look at a guy like Bryan Little.  31 goals.  Then 13 goals.  Then 18 goals.  Started off this season with no goals - now has 11 in his past 15 or 16 games.

Confidence is a weird thing.

Yeah but this is more than a funk. When Kessel went scoreless for a big stretch last season he was getting quality chances constantly so you knew at any moment now he will start scoring and he did. Kulemin is hardly getting any quality chances and is invisible offensively for huge stretches. Even last night, when he did that great deke to get in front of the net all he could do is muster a weak floater wide of the net. He won't score like that.

The one off the backhand? A Cane got his stick on it.

 

[Corn Flake]

FINALLY.

 

[Kaberle15]

FINALLY.

indeed!

 

[Tigger]

Yep, finally. Hopefully he goes on a bit of a tear now.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Something impressive about Kulemin.  Despite the horrid stretch for him in terms of scoring, he has still been on the ice for more goals for than against at even strength, according to Siegel's latest blog on TSN.ca.

That really surprised/impressed me.

 

[groundskeeper willie]

Something impressive about Kulemin.  Despite the horrid stretch for him in terms of scoring, he has still been on the ice for more goals for than against at even strength, according to Siegel's latest blog on TSN.ca.

That really surprised/impressed me.

With the reduced scoring Kulemin is playing like a good 3rd liner. Unfortunately of course, the Leafs are/were counting on him being a solid 2nd liner this year.

The important question to answer, especially with it being a contract year and his name requested in trades for game breaking forwards (ie Carter), is what role can he be counted on if the team were a true contender? Is he a second liner or a third liner on a Cup winning team?

The same question needs to be answered for Grabovski heading into contract negotiations.

 

[maplesyrup]

So, Kadri kind of had a good game tonight at RW... 

 

[Seymore Pucks]

I think Kulemin was very deeply affected by the crash in Russia that killed one of his best friends and mentor, Korolov. This kind of thing cannot be underestimated on human being

100%
The other team I support almost as much as the Leafs in a team called the NZ Warriors.  A couple of season ago a really good emerging player Sonny Fai died via drowning trying to save his brother in the surf here in New Zealand.  Every game the team were like 'lets do it for Sonny'.  It really affected their season from been top 4 to almost wooden spooners.  I would imagine thats what Kulie is going through in alot of ways.  He may not be scoring goals but he still does alot of really good things on this team.  We all know that. 

That's a good point.

 

[Zee]

Just realized Kulemin is an RFA this year.  Currently signed at $2.2M (cap hit 2.35), he hasn't done himself any favours in the contract negotiation part.  He's done the Leafs a huge favour though if you think this just an off year and he'll bounce back strong.  We could re-sign him at a bargain and hope he bounces back to the form he showed last year. 

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

Just realized Kulemin is an RFA this year.  Currently signed at $2.2M (cap hit 2.35), he hasn't done himself any favours in the contract negotiation part.  He's done the Leafs a huge favour though if you think this just an off year and he'll bounce back strong.  We could re-sign him at a bargain and hope he bounces back to the form he showed last year.

It's hard to imagine a player with such skill can develop such stone mitts. Scott Gomezitis?

 

[Zee]

Just realized Kulemin is an RFA this year.  Currently signed at $2.2M (cap hit 2.35), he hasn't done himself any favours in the contract negotiation part.  He's done the Leafs a huge favour though if you think this just an off year and he'll bounce back strong.  We could re-sign him at a bargain and hope he bounces back to the form he showed last year.

It's hard to imagine a player with such skill can develop such stone mitts. Scott Gomezitis?

I know, but unless he picks it up it'll be interesting to see what him and his agent want to do with his next contract.  Do you go short-term again for a lower value and hope for a big year next year to drive up his NEXT contract, or do you try to lock up to longer term for guaranteed money?

 

[groundskeeper willie]

I know, but unless he picks it up it'll be interesting to see what him and his agent want to do with his next contract.  Do you go short-term again for a lower value and hope for a big year next year to drive up his NEXT contract, or do you try to lock up to longer term for guaranteed money?

I'm just glad last year wasn't his contract year. You could imagine paying him $4 mil this year?

 

[hap_leaf]

With 4 goals this year (a goal every ten games!) I think it is time to take steps to help this guy in whatever form: mental or physical.  Maybe he needs a break from the game.  A leave of absence where he can deal with any lingering issues from the loss of his friend and get some serious professional help.  A vacation somewhere removed from hockey.  Then a conditioning stint with the Marlies for another dozen games where he can regain some confidence.  At this point the team will be better without him. 

 

[L K]

With 4 goals this year (a goal every ten games!) I think it is time to take steps to help this guy in whatever form: mental or physical.  Maybe he needs a break from the game.  A leave of absence where he can deal with any lingering issues from the loss of his friend and get some serious professional help.  A vacation somewhere removed from hockey.  Then a conditioning stint with the Marlies for another dozen games where he can regain some confidence.  At this point the team will be better without him.

No.

 

[louisstamos]

With 4 goals this year (a goal every ten games!) I think it is time to take steps to help this guy in whatever form: mental or physical.  Maybe he needs a break from the game.  A leave of absence where he can deal with any lingering issues from the loss of his friend and get some serious professional help.  A vacation somewhere removed from hockey.  Then a conditioning stint with the Marlies for another dozen games where he can regain some confidence.  At this point the team will be better without him.

No.

I agree with LK.  Kulemin may not be scoring, but he's doing everything else right.  Someone said it in the Tampa game thread I think; he's forechecking hard, he's battling for the puck, and he's in very good position, but he simply can't buy a goal right now.  But that's no reason to take someone out of the lineup...

 

[drummond]

With 4 goals this year (a goal every ten games!) I think it is time to take steps to help this guy in whatever form: mental or physical.  Maybe he needs a break from the game.  A leave of absence where he can deal with any lingering issues from the loss of his friend and get some serious professional help.  A vacation somewhere removed from hockey.  Then a conditioning stint with the Marlies for another dozen games where he can regain some confidence.  At this point the team will be better without him.

I beg to differ. He checks relentlessly, his defensive play is very good, tries hard every shift.

 

[bustaheims]

I agree with LK.  Kulemin may not be scoring, but he's doing everything else right.  Someone said it in the Tampa game thread I think; he's forechecking hard, he's battling for the puck, and he's in very good position, but he simply can't buy a goal right now.  But that's no reason to take someone out of the lineup...

Exactly. The only thing he's really not doing is scoring goals. He's still been one of the team's best forecheckers and best defensive forwards. And, even though he's not scoring, he's still creating chances, going hard to the front of the net, etc. It's unfortunate that the puck's not going in for him this year, but, that's all it really is - unfortunate. He was, to some extent, lucky last season with how often he scored, and this season, he's been unlucky. It's just things evening out.

 

[rdowdall]

With 4 goals this year (a goal every ten games!) I think it is time to take steps to help this guy in whatever form: mental or physical.  Maybe he needs a break from the game.  A leave of absence where he can deal with any lingering issues from the loss of his friend and get some serious professional help.  A vacation somewhere removed from hockey.  Then a conditioning stint with the Marlies for another dozen games where he can regain some confidence.  At this point the team will be better without him.

No.

I agree with LK.  Kulemin may not be scoring, but he's doing everything else right.  Someone said it in the Tampa game thread I think; he's forechecking hard, he's battling for the puck, and he's in very good position, but he simply can't buy a goal right now.  But that's no reason to take someone out of the lineup...

If you look at his current shooting percentage, it's at 7%.  His shooting percentage from last year was 17%.  In the previous two years he was around 11%.  If he was at 11% this year, he would have 10 goals instead of 4.  His assists are right around where they were last year.  This might be another guy that is fighting consistency.  Last year he had one goal in his first ten games.

 

[pnjunction]

I'm all for 'sign him cheap after a shite 8-goal season' but at the same time I worry about our playoff chances if the primary scoring dries up.

I suppose Grabbo could pick it up but if he does 'too well' we'll be paying him big UFA bucks (or not) next summer. 

Mac is pretty much earning his money but wow Lombardi is at 3.5M cap hit?  Hopefully him and Kadri can find some consistency this spring.