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Kooled-Off Kulemin

Koolie will be fine. He's one of the hardest workers we have and I see RW has him on the PK right now (he may have been before but I never noticed him) and that's a good use. It's going to benefit the Leafs for his next contract too. I don't think he'll get less than his current contract and that's OK as he's still going to return to a 20-25 consistant scorer IMO.
 
This is only a blip.  I think teams were keying on his line considering they had a lot of success last season.    His =/- is 0 with 6 PIM so he is not a liability to the team.  It would help the team if he could start putting them in the net and that will happen.  He is one of those players that if the Leafs trade, may regret it.
 
I might note that it is not just that Kulemin's shots aren't going in, it is also that he is taking fewer of them.  He is only on pace for 114 shots this year, which is way, way off his 173 from last year.  More generally, it seems to me that he and his entire line (it is hard to say who is most at fault) have substantially less puck control in the offensive zone this year than they did last year.  There seem to be a lot more missed passes and turnovers for them while they are cycling the puck whereas last year, my (perhaps faulty) recollection is that they just kept that puck going around and around and around until they got a good scoring chance.  So overall, I don't think it is just luck or misfiring on his shot that has reduced his goal totals -- it seems to be a little more to me.  His overall puck offensive-zone possession abilities seem to be a little off.
 
nutman said:
I have a hunch he will be one of our better players in the second half.
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Hope you're right.  If the Leafs can get everyone going, and with all the injuries coming back, could be a huge second half to the season and a march into the playoffs.
 
The whole line used to at times dominate games last season. Thankfully the Kessel/centre/Lupul line has picked it up. Grabo seems to be rounding back into form. I really like Kulemin and I'm sure he'll bounce back too. He's getting the chances.


SE
 
That line has also enjoyed less ice time while Grabovski also worked his way through a knee injury.

Kulemin, like some have said, is doing everything else right. It could be a blessing in disguise contract wise next year for the Leafs.
 
Not taking his scoring drought into account, Kulemin has been ok this year. The effort is still there, but he just hasn't been the workhorse that he was last season or for most of the season before that.

He's slumping hard but give him time and he'll get it together. I don't know if he will ever approach scoring 30-30 like he did last season but I still see his long-term upside as a regular 40-50 point guy with a good all-around game.
 
Significantly Insignificant said:
Anyone think that Wilson is trying to turn the Grabovski, Kulemin, Crabb line in to a checking line?
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At the end of last year, grabbo, Kulemin, maccarthur were consistory put out against the other team's top line. I think that makes sense -- grabbo and Kulemin may be our best two way forwards ... I'm not quite familiar enough with Connolly yet ...
 
Perfect evidence for why we don't need Orr/useless fighters to "enforce" the game:

"You know, he told me he did that for me because (Kaleta) hit me before," said Grabovski. "I'm very happy for that because a Russian (stuck up) for a Russian."
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He must have read this thread right before the game and saw the contract implications.
 
Just watched this little video on Kulemin: http://watch.tsn.ca/featured/clip599123#clip599123

Can't believe how much his English has improved since the last time I heard him speak.

Also, I hope he is here for a long time.  Loved the little bit at the end with his son.
 
Poor Kulemin.  In the midsts of a 15 game goalless drought and not even much in the way of chances.  At this point I'd feel better for him if he even hit a post.  It is almost nearing his season high 23 game swoon from Oct-Dec.

I think for whatever reason, he needs a change of scenery.  It must be getting awkward for everyone involved.  What does the coaching staff say to him at this point?  What does he say to himself? 
 
hap_leaf said:
Poor Kulemin.  In the midsts of a 15 game goalless drought and not even much in the way of chances.  At this point I'd feel better for him if he even hit a post.  It is almost nearing his season high 23 game swoon from Oct-Dec.

I think for whatever reason, he needs a change of scenery.  It must be getting awkward for everyone involved.  What does the coaching staff say to him at this point?  What does he say to himself?
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There was a lot of suggestive mumbling between Bowen and Millen last night about Kulemin dealing with "all kinds of personal issues" and the birth of his daughter "he can now put them all behind him."    I'm not going to speculate on what they may have been since its not allowed (and I should MYOB) but we all know how personal stuff can distract, so maybe he can turn the page in the last 30'ish games and revive a lousy season.
 
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