Kooled-Off Kulemin

[Erndog]

Was listening to the radio on the drive home the other day and I can't remember the guy's name who was talking, he was a scout for the Leafs and Wild most recently (was part of the Leafs' brass when they drafted Kulemin)  discussing Kulemin.  He said that this year he doesn't see the explosiveness in Kulemin's stride.  The extra step.  Remember how fast Kule was?  Didn't he win the fastest skater on the team in the Leafs' skills competition?  He said that is the biggest thing missing from his game (he did mention his first few strides were always a little slow but he was very quick at top speed and he doesn't see that anymore).  Can't say I disagree. 

I'd also add that his hands are very... not sure what the word is but... "slow"?  He doesn't really control the puck well on his stick.  Zero dangling or creativity- I understand thats not his game but he was more effective last year when he held onto the puck longer.  This year its a little more "hot potato" for him. 

 

[CarltonTheBear]

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?

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.

I think what Bowen and Millen were talking about was the Lokomotiv plane crash. Kulemin was apparently close with a number of players who lost their lives there (Igor Korolev in particular).

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

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?

If it helps, he hit the post a couple games ago.

 

[Bullfrog]

Was listening to the radio on the drive home the other day and I can't remember the guy's name who was talking, he was a scout for the Leafs and Wild most recently (was part of the Leafs' brass when they drafted Kulemin)  discussing Kulemin.  He said that this year he doesn't see the explosiveness in Kulemin's stride.  The extra step.  Remember how fast Kule was?  Didn't he win the fastest skater on the team in the Leafs' skills competition?  He said that is the biggest thing missing from his game (he did mention his first few strides were always a little slow but he was very quick at top speed and he doesn't see that anymore).  Can't say I disagree. 

I'd also add that his hands are very... not sure what the word is but... "slow"?  He doesn't really control the puck well on his stick.  Zero dangling or creativity- I understand thats not his game but he was more effective last year when he held onto the puck longer.  This year its a little more "hot potato" for him.

His timing in general seems off. Last year, the puck would be on his stick and in the net in the blink of an eye. He doesn't seem to be releasing it as quickly.

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

Forget production, I'm just happy we've got a player that can't be intimidated.

 

[pnjunction]

Maybe there is one of those control panels that will thaw him out from the carbonite?

Amazing thing is even in this state he is faster than Schenn.

 

[leafplasma]

Has there ever been a player to drop off so drastically at such a young age.  To go from 30 goals to sit at just 5 goals with 24 games to play is jaw dropping really.  He isn't even shooting the puck, his offensive game is a mess right now.

 

[AvroArrow]

I would move Kulemin for the right player in the right deal, but I would be perfectly happy if we held onto him.  I think he'll bounce back next year.  Maybe not back all the way to 30 goals, but I'm guessing at least 20, if not 25.

 

[Bender]

Has there ever been a player to drop off so drastically at such a young age.  To go from 30 goals to sit at just 5 goals with 24 games to play is jaw dropping really.  He isn't even shooting the puck, his offensive game is a mess right now.

Maybe not to the same degree but Lucic didn't have a good year in 09/10.

One guy that immediately jumps out at me for a drop was Bryan Little. Devin Setoguchi, Chris Stewart. It doesn't happen frequently but it doesn't happen often either.

 

[leafplasma]

Has there ever been a player to drop off so drastically at such a young age.  To go from 30 goals to sit at just 5 goals with 24 games to play is jaw dropping really.  He isn't even shooting the puck, his offensive game is a mess right now.

Maybe not to the same degree but Lucic didn't have a good year in 09/10.

One guy that immediately jumps out at me for a drop was Bryan Little. Devin Setoguchi, Chris Stewart. It doesn't happen frequently but it doesn't happen often either.

The only player you listed there comparable may be Little who went from 31 goals to 13 goals the next year.  Scarily enough Kuli may be lucky to end up with 7 at this pace which is quite disturbing by comparison.  He is producing like a 4th line forward.  It is baffling and he may be setting a precedent in futility here.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

He's at about half of his prior career low SH%, and on pace for about 60 or so less shots than last season.  As of right now, has to be an outlier season.  Hard to say what will happen next season.

 

[ZBBM]

Has anybody in the press asked him recently what's the matter?  The only thing I've heard is vague references to the Lokomotiv crash, but I don't think I've seen a quote from Kulemin himself on the slump.

 

[Kessel Run]

Has anybody in the press asked him recently what's the matter?  The only thing I've heard is vague references to the Lokomotiv crash, but I don't think I've seen a quote from Kulemin himself on the slump.

If I were to guess I would say he has had a lot of off ice distractions. The Lokomotiv crash, his wife's pregnancy and birth of his second child, etc..

 

[leafplasma]

That is just it, he seems so quiet, so reserved, a complete lack of emotion.  I can't even recall in recent memory an interview with him between periods or on the leafs site by the press.  He is obviously a very unapproachable guy.  I mean he put up some decent goal totals his first two years in the league of 15 and 16 before last years 30 goal outburst so a penchant for sniping was set early on.  However, this year just boggles the mind and yes surprisingly outside of Kuli himself even who obviously hates the mic it isn't even talked about by RW or other sources, quite odd actually.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

That is just it, he seems so quiet, so reserved, a complete lack of emotion.  I can't even recall in recent memory an interview with him between periods or on the leafs site by the press.  He is obviously a very unapproachable guy.  I mean he put up some decent goal totals his first two years in the league of 15 and 16 before last years 30 goal outburst so a penchant for sniping was set early on.  However, this year just boggles the mind and yes surprisingly outside of Kuli himself even who obviously hates the mic it isn't even talked about by RW or other sources, quite odd actually.

I don't think he's a great English speaker, so it's not surprising you wouldn't be seeing many interviews with him.

 

[leafplasma]

That is just it, he seems so quiet, so reserved, a complete lack of emotion.  I can't even recall in recent memory an interview with him between periods or on the leafs site by the press.  He is obviously a very unapproachable guy.  I mean he put up some decent goal totals his first two years in the league of 15 and 16 before last years 30 goal outburst so a penchant for sniping was set early on.  However, this year just boggles the mind and yes surprisingly outside of Kuli himself even who obviously hates the mic it isn't even talked about by RW or other sources, quite odd actually.

I don't think he's a great English speaker, so it's not surprising you wouldn't be seeing many interviews with him.

He has been here 4 years now, if he is not a great english speaker it is likely because he is not indulging enough.  He seems to be a quiet, reserved guy, nothing wrong with that.  I find it strange though that there hasn't been more talk by Leaf brass in general or even the media in regards to his huge drop off.  It may be because he is such a shy nice guy.  If he was running his mouth off and feeling entitled like say a Versteeg, he may have been run out of town by now.

 

[Bender]

That is just it, he seems so quiet, so reserved, a complete lack of emotion.  I can't even recall in recent memory an interview with him between periods or on the leafs site by the press.  He is obviously a very unapproachable guy.  I mean he put up some decent goal totals his first two years in the league of 15 and 16 before last years 30 goal outburst so a penchant for sniping was set early on.  However, this year just boggles the mind and yes surprisingly outside of Kuli himself even who obviously hates the mic it isn't even talked about by RW or other sources, quite odd actually.

I don't think he's a great English speaker, so it's not surprising you wouldn't be seeing many interviews with him.

He has been here 4 years now, if he is not a great english speaker it is likely because he is not indulging enough.  He seems to be a quiet, reserved guy, nothing wrong with that.  I find it strange though that there hasn't been more talk by Leaf brass in general or even the media in regards to his huge drop off.  It may be because he is such a shy nice guy.  If he was running his mouth off and feeling entitled like say a Versteeg, he may have been run out of town by now.

You know what, sometimes cultures like to stay within their social circles. Nothing wrong with that, but to think he can speak just because he's been here four years strikes me as pretty ignorant. My grandfather has been in the country for almost 50 years and speaks nearly as broken and as accented as he did when he first came to Canada in the 1950s.

 

[riff raff]

That is just it, he seems so quiet, so reserved, a complete lack of emotion.  I can't even recall in recent memory an interview with him between periods or on the leafs site by the press.  He is obviously a very unapproachable guy.  I mean he put up some decent goal totals his first two years in the league of 15 and 16 before last years 30 goal outburst so a penchant for sniping was set early on.  However, this year just boggles the mind and yes surprisingly outside of Kuli himself even who obviously hates the mic it isn't even talked about by RW or other sources, quite odd actually.

I don't think he's a great English speaker, so it's not surprising you wouldn't be seeing many interviews with him.

He has been here 4 years now, if he is not a great english speaker it is likely because he is not indulging enough.  He seems to be a quiet, reserved guy, nothing wrong with that.  I find it strange though that there hasn't been more talk by Leaf brass in general or even the media in regards to his huge drop off.  It may be because he is such a shy nice guy.  If he was running his mouth off and feeling entitled like say a Versteeg, he may have been run out of town by now.

I think the media has talked about it plenty.

But it seems the rest of his game - the responsible, defensive game - is still in place. The coaches appeciate this even while they want more from him offensively.

If he wasn't contributing anything at all, he'd be long gone by now.

 

[leafplasma]

That is just it, he seems so quiet, so reserved, a complete lack of emotion.  I can't even recall in recent memory an interview with him between periods or on the leafs site by the press.  He is obviously a very unapproachable guy.  I mean he put up some decent goal totals his first two years in the league of 15 and 16 before last years 30 goal outburst so a penchant for sniping was set early on.  However, this year just boggles the mind and yes surprisingly outside of Kuli himself even who obviously hates the mic it isn't even talked about by RW or other sources, quite odd actually.

I don't think he's a great English speaker, so it's not surprising you wouldn't be seeing many interviews with him.

He has been here 4 years now, if he is not a great english speaker it is likely because he is not indulging enough.  He seems to be a quiet, reserved guy, nothing wrong with that.  I find it strange though that there hasn't been more talk by Leaf brass in general or even the media in regards to his huge drop off.  It may be because he is such a shy nice guy.  If he was running his mouth off and feeling entitled like say a Versteeg, he may have been run out of town by now.

You know what, sometimes cultures like to stay within their social circles. Nothing wrong with that, but to think he can speak just because he's been here four years strikes me as pretty ignorant. My grandfather has been in the country for almost 50 years and speaks nearly as broken and as accented as he did when he first came to Canada in the 1950s.

Not ignorant at all, I merely stated that he is reserved and quiet obviously.  If he were more willing to engage he simply would pick up the English language.  The same way if I were to move to Russia with Russian team mates, after 4 years I would pick things up, just by osmosis even or if I chose to I would take lessons because after all I plan on being there for 10 more years anyway.  Kuli has chosen not to do this and I have stated that their is nothing wrong with that, it just is not necessarily the norm but that is his choice.

Bender I also have a Dutch grandmother with a pretty thick accent who has lived in Canada since after the war.  She has learned to speak the language and engage and she has lived a pretty quiet life, she certainly does not play for the Leafs.

So I am not being ignorant but making an observation as to  Kuli being a pretty shy guy.  I am not belittling him for being like that just stating that if he wanted to engage he could.  He clearly doesn't want to because after 4 years he should be able to conduct an interview and I am sure he has in the past.  Broken english aside, I would love to hear what he has to say as a fan of Nik.  There has to be a reason the media does not seek him out.

 

[Bender]

That is just it, he seems so quiet, so reserved, a complete lack of emotion.  I can't even recall in recent memory an interview with him between periods or on the leafs site by the press.  He is obviously a very unapproachable guy.  I mean he put up some decent goal totals his first two years in the league of 15 and 16 before last years 30 goal outburst so a penchant for sniping was set early on.  However, this year just boggles the mind and yes surprisingly outside of Kuli himself even who obviously hates the mic it isn't even talked about by RW or other sources, quite odd actually.

I don't think he's a great English speaker, so it's not surprising you wouldn't be seeing many interviews with him.

He has been here 4 years now, if he is not a great english speaker it is likely because he is not indulging enough.  He seems to be a quiet, reserved guy, nothing wrong with that.  I find it strange though that there hasn't been more talk by Leaf brass in general or even the media in regards to his huge drop off.  It may be because he is such a shy nice guy.  If he was running his mouth off and feeling entitled like say a Versteeg, he may have been run out of town by now.

You know what, sometimes cultures like to stay within their social circles. Nothing wrong with that, but to think he can speak just because he's been here four years strikes me as pretty ignorant. My grandfather has been in the country for almost 50 years and speaks nearly as broken and as accented as he did when he first came to Canada in the 1950s.

Not ignorant at all, I merely stated that he is reserved and quiet obviously.  If he were more willing to engage he simply would pick up the English language.  The same way if I were to move to Russia with Russian team mates, after 4 years I would pick things up, just by osmosis even or if I chose to I would take lessons because after all I plan on being there for 10 more years anyway.  Kuli has chosen not to do this and I have stated that their is nothing wrong with that, it just is not necessarily the norm but that is his choice.

Bender I also have a Dutch grandmother with a pretty thick accent who has lived in Canada since after the war.  She has learned to speak the language and engage and she has lived a pretty quiet life, she certainly does not play for the Leafs.

So I am not being ignorant but making an observation as to  Kuli being a pretty shy guy.  I am not belittling him for being like that just stating that if he wanted to engage he could.  He clearly doesn't want to because after 4 years he should be able to conduct an interview and I am sure he has in the past.  Broken english aside, I would love to hear what he has to say as a fan of Nik.  There has to be a reason the media does not seek him out.

You're just curious why he doesn't give interviews?

I dunno, I'm just not surprised and don't view it as odd to be honest.