Locked out Leafs Tracker

[rdowdall]

After his 5 point effort Kulemin was held scoreless tonight. Grabbo, however, in an excellent match against Ovechkin and Co. scored a goal and assisted on one of Datsyuk?s goals giving him 20pts (10+10) so far this season. Dynamo Moscow went on 5-0 early lead. Game over? No! With Datsyuk and Grabbo leading the charge CSKA almost tied the game but Ovechkin scored into the empy net so Dynamo won over city rival CSKA 6-4.

Grabbo has lots of experience with that situation.

 

[drummond]

Kulemin made the Russian roster for Channel One Cup, good for him, the Russian roster is full of the NHL stars (Datsyuk, Malkin, Ovechkin, Kovalchuk etc.) Experience like that can not hurt. Hopefully the Russian coach lets him play with Malkin as they do in Magnitogorsk and have a great chemistry.

On Thursday, Dec 13 Russia plays Sweden on Saturday Dec 15 Czech Republic and on Sunday Finland.  All games played in Moscow. Carl Gunnarsson will play for Sweden.

 

[hap_leaf]

I expect to see an improved Kulemin next year, with more confidence after playing with Malkin and Gonchar.  What a great opportunity for him after his disasterous lack of goal scoring last year.  Hope he spends a lot of time with Malkin and learns some new tricks. 

 

[Redleaf]

I expect to see an improved Kulemin next year, with more confidence after playing with Malkin and Gonchar.  What a great opportunity for him after his disasterous lack of goal scoring last year.  Hope he spends a lot of time with Malkin and learns some new tricks.

Agreed. He comes out of the gate flying.

 

[Rebel_1812]

I expect to see an improved Kulemin next year, with more confidence after playing with Malkin and Gonchar.  What a great opportunity for him after his disasterous lack of goal scoring last year.  Hope he spends a lot of time with Malkin and learns some new tricks.

and if he doesn't show improvement he should become trade bait.

 

[Andy007]

I expect to see an improved Kulemin next year, with more confidence after playing with Malkin and Gonchar.  What a great opportunity for him after his disasterous lack of goal scoring last year.  Hope he spends a lot of time with Malkin and learns some new tricks.

and if he doesn't show improvement he should become trade bait.

Well if he doesn't improve on 7 goals then I'm not sure what kind of bait he will become. I'm not sure why anyone would want to trade a player if their value is at their lowest (no offense to you, Mr. Fletcher).

 

[Captain Canuck]

Apparently the lockout extends to Real Sports pub, who refuse to take reservations from Leafs players. They have to wait in line like the rest of us.  :

Full Story

 

[Bender]

Apparently the lockout extends to Real Sports pub, who refuse to take reservations from Leafs players. They have to wait in line like the rest of us.  :

Full Story

Not sure what you mean. Making a reservation is the best way you ensure to get in. Not the end of the world for the players but its still kinda lame.

 

[drummond]

Joffrey returned from Russia for good

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl-lockout/2012/12/17/toronto_mpale_leafs_joffrey_lupul_interview_khl_charity_game/?utm_source=Hockey%20lineup%20RSS-Images&utm_medium=feed&utm_content=Why%20Leafs%27%20Lupul%20is%20done%20with%20the%20KHL

 

[Beowulf]

Kule with another 2 goals today (both even strength).

Season totals of 30 gp - 13 g - 14 a

Also moved into 9th in the entire KHL with a +/- of 18, impressive since most of the other leaders have teammates at or near their mark, but his nearest teammate is Malkin with a +12.

Komarov assisted on an Ovechkin goal today as well.

 

[drummond]

Clarke MacArthur also returned home from Germany, so as of now the only Leafs playing overseas are Kulemin, Grabovski and Komarov in the KHL and Franson and Gunnarsson in Sweden.

 

[drummond]

Traditional update - more good news from the Leafs KHL trio
Grabbo scored game winning OT goal in 2:1 win against Kovalchuk?s St Petersburg. Kuli earned another assists, so did Komarov (on Ovechkin goal again).
In Sweden Brynas lost 2:1 in OT, Franson was held scoreless.

 

[drummond]

Kulemin enjoys his ride on the line with Malkin and Mozyakin (the two most productive players of the KHL). In todays 7-0 win over Amur Mozyakin (4+1) and Malkin (1+4) scored 5 points each, Nik Kulemin was just slightly behind with 4 points (0+4). After his 5 point game (2+3) month ago, it is his second best effort of the season in the KHL. Kule has 34 points (14+20) in 34 games and is +21 in +/- department. He is actually in the KHL scorers TOP 10 with Mozyakin in lead with 63pts followed by Malkin with 59 points. Kule is on par with Datsyuk and sligtly behind Ovechkin and Kovalchuk. Excellent year for him. Hoping he brings - if nothing else - a ton of confidence with him back to Toronto.

Grabbo excelled as well adding 2 assists in 4-2 win over Dynamo Moscow to give him 24 points (12+12) in 28 games.

 

[Bullfrog]

Kulemin's one of my favourites on the team, but I wonder if Pittsburgh makes an offer for him? He seems to thrive when playing with Malkin.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Kulemin's one of my favourites on the team, but I wonder if Pittsburgh makes an offer for him? He seems to thrive when playing with Malkin.

Not to knock Kulemin, but a lot of players seem to thrive when playing with Malkin.

 

[Bullfrog]

I was thinking that when I typed it, but he's proven to have chemistry with him. With his shot and physicality, he'd be a good complement.

 

[Kin]

Kulemin's one of my favourites on the team, but I wonder if Pittsburgh makes an offer for him? He seems to thrive when playing with Malkin.

Not to knock Kulemin, but a lot of players seem to thrive when playing with Malkin.

And to be fair to Kulemin, he looked great a couple years ago playing with Mac and Grabo. I think, and maybe this is just wishful thinking but I doubt it, that last year's struggles weren't really about who he was playing with.

 

[Rebel_1812]

if the unlikely happens and a cba deal does get done I wonder how the leafs will do.  The players that played overseas will have an advantage over the players that didn't especially with the shortened training camp.  It doesn't seem to me like many leafs are currently playing over seas.  I think this will hurt the leafs at the start of the shortened season if there is one.

 

[Beowulf]

I've watched a lot of Metallurg highlights this season, and nothing in Kule's game looks any different than last season with the Leafs- other than the fact that shots are going in, and obviously he's getting a few more chances playing with Malkin.

He plays a smart, hard nosed, efficient game. He grinds, goes to the net as often as I've ever seen anyone do it and has excellent positioning there. Overall he has above average but not excellent skills in all areas. Although come to think of it, I actually think his speed is underrated, he can fly.

I'd have to agree with Nik, last season his troubles were 99% between his ears. And I'm more than willing to give him a mulligan on that considering the tragic circumstances dealt to him just before the season coupled with being a new father.

And yet despite his lack of production weren't we still praising him for his two-way game?

I'm a big Kule fan so feel free to colour me biased, but I really feel that Kule can be an important support piece on any contending team; something which can't be said for all players who do well on mediocre to bad teams. A 20+ goal, 45-50 pt season is I think a realistic and excellent output for Kule here considering what else he brings to the table.

 

[drummond]

if the unlikely happens and a cba deal does get done I wonder how the leafs will do.  The players that played overseas will have an advantage over the players that didn't especially with the shortened training camp.  It doesn't seem to me like many leafs are currently playing over seas.  I think this will hurt the leafs at the start of the shortened season if there is one.

The other teams are in rather similar position, having from 2 to 4 players overseas, I mean kind of impact players. No team is having like coplete top 6 forwards currently playing somewhere. IMO, the Leafs are actually in pretty good shape in that regard.

Kule and Grabbo are playing regularly on good teams in the best league available. Lups and Mac played at least some hockey during the lockout, not much but better than nothing. Komarov played forthe Marlies and right now plays alongside Ovechkin and Backstrom, not too shabby either. Franson - if he is still in Burke?s plans - plays regurarly in Swedish Elite League, which is good league as well. Gunnarsson also sees some action in his native Orebro.

On top of that I presume the Leafs have some regulars playing for Marlies such as Frattin and Gardiner, perhaps also Kadri, Scrivens and Holzer.

That gives you pretty decent part of the lineup which has played competitive hockey somewhere. With exception of Reimer, Kessel, Phaneuf and lets say Liles and Bozak the most important players has got their feet wet.