Nikolai Kulemin

[Crucialness Key]

(Amazed I had to create this thread... how have we gone this long without it?  Yes, there is the Kooled-Off Kulemin thread, but that wouldn't at all fit for what I wanted to post...)

I'm encouraged by the numbers the Cool Lemon has been putting up since being put on the "first" line.  In his last 9 games he has 5G-3A-8P (and is 100% on faceoffs  ;D ), which using crazy fan math projects to a full season of 45-27-72.

Is it too much to think, then, that if he plays all next season with Kadri (and Lupul when available), he could return to the 30-goal plateau? 

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Nothing against Kulemin, but I don't think we'll ever see him back at that 30 goal plateau. 20 maybe, but probably more likely to be a 15-20 goal scorer.

 

[Zee]

Nothing against Kulemin, but I don't think we'll ever see him back at that 30 goal plateau. 20 maybe, but probably more likely to be a 15-20 goal scorer.

Well he's on pace for 15 over 82 so far this year, so you're right. 

 

[Redleaf]

Terrible giveaway last night that lead to one of the Flyers goals.

 

[Crucialness Key]

Nothing against Kulemin, but I don't think we'll ever see him back at that 30 goal plateau. 20 maybe, but probably more likely to be a 15-20 goal scorer.

Well he's on pace for 15 over 82 so far this year, so you're right.

Yes, but my thinking was that his pace jumped significantly once he was paired with Kadri.

 

[Kin]

I think it's a question of context more than anything. If Kulemin is on a line where the other two players are offensively gifted and have legitimate chemistry, I think Kulemin's got all the tools required to be a third wheel who can score 20-30 goals.

If that falters though he doesn't seem to be able to generate much on his own. So those 20-30 goals are probably a little bit distorting when it comes to his actual value.

 

[Redleaf]

I think it's a question of context more than anything. If Kulemin is on a line where the other two players are offensively gifted and have legitimate chemistry, I think Kulemin's got all the tools required to be a third wheel who can score 20-30 goals.

If that falters though he doesn't seem to be able to generate much on his own. So those 20-30 goals are probably a little bit distorting when it comes to his actual value.

Hence his ability to light it up playing along side Malkin. He does need a gifted goal scorer and playmaker on his line to be effective offensively. Like you said, he's got the tools. Maybe it's a motivational thing?

 

[Kin]

Hence his ability to light it up playing along side Malkin. He does need a gifted goal scorer and playmaker on his line to be effective offensively. Like you said, he's got the tools. Maybe it's a motivational thing?

Well, I mean he's got the tools to chip in as the guy who's not the main offensive cog on a line. I don't think he's got the sorts of skills to produce like that if he's not playing with other, more gifted offensive players.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

I think it's a question of context more than anything. If Kulemin is on a line where the other two players are offensively gifted and have legitimate chemistry, I think Kulemin's got all the tools required to be a third wheel who can score 20-30 goals.

If that falters though he doesn't seem to be able to generate much on his own. So those 20-30 goals are probably a little bit distorting when it comes to his actual value.

Hence his ability to light it up playing along side Malkin. He does need a gifted goal scorer and playmaker on his line to be effective offensively. Like you said, he's got the tools. Maybe it's a motivational thing?

I don't think it's a lack of motivation. He seems to be giving 100% all the time. I think it's a lack of creativity.

 

[Jalili]

He's a grunt worker. He happens to quite a good one though.

Kulemin, like Nik said, should not be the pivot for his line. But pair him with more offensive gifted players, where he does the heavy lifting and they set up the plays, and it usually turns out to be mutually beneficial.

 

[nutman]

I can see him stepping it up, and being a team killer with Kadri. then when Lupul gets back the three of them will be even more deadly.

 

[Crucialness Key]

From The Star:

Joffrey Lupul says the most under-appreciated player on the Maple Leafs is winger Nikolai Kulemin.

?He?s always been an under-rated player since I got here. He does a lot of things,? says Lupul. ?He kills penalties well, he?s a good teammate. He works hard every night, even when he?s not scoring."

Lupul's koo-koo for Kulemin!