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Kooled-Off Kulemin

See, I thought he'd continue to improve modestly (he still may) which is part of my frustration with him to date.
 
Bullfrog said:
I'll raise my hand. I didn't think he'd be this bad on offensive, but I thought he had a chance at meeting last year's production (note: I'll repeat, I thought he had a chance). I wasn't confident on him bettering his numbers. I did expect more progression in the other areas of his game. Can't really say I've seen that either.
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I think the idea that that whole line was probably going to come down a bit production wise was pretty common.
 
I'd like to hear more about Kulemin, even if he didn't score.  A big hit or something.  Too quiet.  As some teams find themselves in trouble and start thinking about making a deal to shake things up, Kulemin better get rolling before they call.
 
He had this play in the first period yesterday that really showed me he's heads not in it right now.

The Devils were entering the Leafs zone and coughed up the puck on the boards, near the blue line.  I can't remember which Leaf, but he took it and started to skate hard out the zone.  Kulemin was no more than 5 feet from him and didn't even move.  He literally stood still, flat footed, instead of turning up ice with the other Leaf to attack the neutral zone.  The Leaf then was by himself and dumped it in.  I remember seeing that and just shaking my head at Kule's effort level there.  Not to mention his terrible holding penalty.

This reminds me a LOT of Bryan Little.  He scored 30+ goals one year only to really regress the next couple seasons to 13 and 18 goals.  He was put into a good situation, more out of necessity and scored quite a bit.  He peaked.  I've always said Kulemin is a "jack of all trades guy, master of none".  I think expectations were too high, as he's probably more of a 20 goal guy.  He's clearly not getting there this year though  :-\
 
I'm a big Kulemin fan, I even got his name on my jersey before the season started.  That being said, something has looked very wrong with him since the season started.  He simply doesn't look as strong on the puck last year.  He used to bulldoze his way into corners and come out with the puck.  He hasn't been doing that this year, in fact, it seems like he gets knocked off the puck much easier...

I'm not sure if it's a mental thing or an off-season training thing...at the end of last year, Kulemin was the last person I would have suggested to get stronger.  But now it looks like he needs to...
 
Erndog said:
He had this play in the first period yesterday that really showed me he's heads not in it right now.

The Devils were entering the Leafs zone and coughed up the puck on the boards, near the blue line.  I can't remember which Leaf, but he took it and started to skate hard out the zone.  Kulemin was no more than 5 feet from him and didn't even move.  He literally stood still, flat footed, instead of turning up ice with the other Leaf to attack the neutral zone.  The Leaf then was by himself and dumped it in.  I remember seeing that and just shaking my head at Kule's effort level there.  Not to mention his terrible holding penalty.

This reminds me a LOT of Bryan Little.  He scored 30+ goals one year only to really regress the next couple seasons to 13 and 18 goals.  He was put into a good situation, more out of necessity and scored quite a bit.  He peaked.  I've always said Kulemin is a "jack of all trades guy, master of none".  I think expectations were too high, as he's probably more of a 20 goal guy.  He's clearly not getting there this year though  :-\
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I've noticed these kinds of plays over the last few games that I've watched.  I can't tell if he just doesn't care, if he's just lazy, or maybe playing injured...  Not sure, really.

I think one of the hits Potvin is talking about was the first time in as long as I can remember where he looked like the Kulemin of old.
 
If this guy can ever start scoring again it would go a LONG way into helping the Leafs get onto a good winning streak.  Kessel and Lupul have been lights out, MacArthur has been ok for short bursts when healthy, the Leafs need Kulemin to start putting up points.

Man, when you have Luke Schenn threatening to pass you in point total, things are not good.
 
Heroic Shrimp said:
Mikhail Bloodnovsky said:
Zee said:
Man, when you have Luke Schenn threatening to pass you in point total, things are not good.
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I know, ouch.
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And how does Philippe Dupuis feel being outscored by Gustavsson?
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even worse when he realizes hasn't been on the ice for a even strength goal for (only on for 2 even strength goals against)
 
Thought Kulemin played one of his better games last night.  As mentioned, he was doing allot of the little things right.  Been down on him for not scoring, but looking at his points total he has nine assists.  Not great.  But then looking at his linemates, Grabovski and MacArthur, they combine for nine assists.  What gives?  Kulemin also has 10 more hits and blocked shots then Grabs and MacArthur combined.  Personally I'm starting to scrutinize MacArthur's performance a little bit more.  Minus player every year, only 3 assists for a top six winger, doesn't hit, doesn't block shots, and isn't getting the ice-time from Ron Wilson. 
 
moon111 said:
Thought Kulemin played one of his better games last night.  As mentioned, he was doing allot of the little things right.  Been down on him for not scoring, but looking at his points total he has nine assists.  Not great.  But then looking at his linemates, Grabovski and MacArthur, they combine for nine assists.  What gives?  Kulemin also has 10 more hits and blocked shots then Grabs and MacArthur combined.  Personally I'm starting to scrutinize MacArthur's performance a little bit more.  Minus player every year, only 3 assists for a top six winger, doesn't hit, doesn't block shots, and isn't getting the ice-time from Ron Wilson.
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None of those 3 are truly cutting it so far.  If they were going at even 75% of last year's production, we'd have 2 or 3 wins I betcha.
 
Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate said:
None of those 3 are truly cutting it so far.  If they were going at even 75% of last year's production, we'd have 2 or 3 wins I betcha.
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Grabovski's on pace for 23 goals, MacArthur for 30. Their assist totals aren't great, but, it's not like they're not producing fairly well. Part of (if not most of) their decrease in totals has to do with their respective injuries and the fact that Kulemin, for whatever reason, can't buy a goal this season.
 
"for what ever reason" Busta?  Kulemin has 1 SHOT in his last 5 games.  I think the reason he isnt scoring is pretty clear, he's been terrible this year.  It's really too bad too he showed all sorts of promise last year.  I expect him to be better going forward however (last year Foligno had 1 goal at this time and look at him this year).  Confidence is a helluva thing.
 
moon111 said:
Personally I'm starting to scrutinize MacArthur's performance a little bit more.  Minus player every year, only 3 assists for a top six winger, doesn't hit, doesn't block shots, and isn't getting the ice-time from Ron Wilson.
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I don't want to get on MacArthur as I really have never supported his random passes to nobody, etc but I would much prefer a healthy Lombardi over him healthy because they are very similar in all aspects except Lombardi seems to have a higher hockey IQ.

If only MacArthur could be packaged (Kadri + pick/dman) for a top forward while his value is high.

As bad as Kulemin has been this year I would still like to keep him.
 
Erndog said:
"for what ever reason" Busta?  Kulemin has 1 SHOT in his last 5 games.  I think the reason he isnt scoring is pretty clear, he's been terrible this year.  It's really too bad too he showed all sorts of promise last year.  I expect him to be better going forward however (last year Foligno had 1 goal at this time and look at him this year).  Confidence is a helluva thing.
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I was thinking more before the last few games, where he was still shooting the puck and getting some chances. I also wouldn't say he's been terrible this year. Offensively, yes, he's been a real disappointment, but, the rest of his game has, for the most part, been pretty solid.
 
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