It may be a bit of pond hockey (Malkin averaging 6 shots / game, lol), but this stint has to be helping Kulemin's confidence. Playing on a pretty stacked team, getting tons of icetime (19+ mins / game), with tons of shots on net (2.8/game) considering his role, and he's back home close to friends and family.
I expect a rejuvenated Kulemin when the NHL starts up again.
Franson and Lupul ain't doing so hot overseas. Not really a big deal for Franson though. He's young and his upside is there to invest in for the Leafs or any other team. Lupul should be worried though. He's never played a full 82 games in his career. The last time he came close to a full season was in the 2008-2009 season. He's getting up their in age, his career is continuously marred with injuries, his breakout campaign all happened with a guy of Kessel's calibre on his line- how many teams have only one star on their first line that would give Lupul the opportunity to work with someone of Kessel's talent? While his overseas resume is limited, it's not impressive. There's a lot going against Lupul and this lockout is now the biggest one.
I don't think any of the other players have much to worry about at the moment in terms of their futures...well actually there's Connolly. Poor guy.
Lupul will be fine as long as Kessel is playmaking for him.
Lupul will be fine as long as Kessel is playmaking for him.
It's not even just his playmaking. Kessel is an elite offensive player who generates tons of chances. Having someone crashing the net for deflections, screens, burying rebounds will allow a lot of those chances to bear fruition. Lupul also does a decent work retrieving the puck along the boards.
Lupul will be fine as long as Kessel is playmaking for him.
I think he does work really well with Kessel and I do have confidence that he can replicate last season's work, particularly with Kessel on his line. I still think it's important for him to get some NHL games under his belt this season with his impending UFA status. Ideally, I'd like to see him sign an extension with the Leafs and avoiding testing UFA.
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Woodlief
using his big frame to create space and his skating ability to find open lanes to drive the net. He stands 6-3 and is a natural goal scorer with plenty of confidence.
He's a scout's dream in the way he prepares himself and plays an unselfish game, making smart decisions with the puck. With his bloodlines, he certainly understands what it will take to make it at the next level.
i forget which teams people play for, only thing that stands out are dynamo and maga
Grabo plays for CSKA Moscow aka Red Army, with Datsyuk. Kulemin plays for Metallurg Magnitogorsk, with Malkin. Lupul plays for Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg, which happens to be the last placed team in the KHL.
I think komarov has a chance to be more than a 4th line player. He has shown a scoring touch in both KHL and AHL. Hopefully this can translate into the NHL so he can be a marchand lite player
Encouraging news in regards to Kulemin. He's scoring at a 30+ goal pace in the KHL, yeah he's playing with Malkin but even still those numbers are much better, especially when you consider that goal totals and point totals are lower in the KHL than the NHL.
Grabovski 1g1a in the very exciting near comeback, Dynamo was up 5-0 at the beginning of the third and CSKA made it 5-4 with 2 minutes left and a PP. Backstrom got the empty net insurance goal, 6-4 final. Very exciting. Datsyuk looked like **** in the first two periods but then came on strong for 2g1a in the third. No points for Komarov. Ovechkin with a vintage PP one-timer goal, it was unstoppable.
Grabovski, kulemin, komarov in the khl could benefit for the leafs IMO.
Mario Lemieux once said that playing with gretzky in the 87 Canada cup, gave him confidence to go back and play in Pittsburgh, taught him how to be a champion and be the best in the game. Now I know it's not to the same degree in players, or tournament/competition but Kulemin, Grabovski, are both getting premium opportunities in the khl. Kulemins confidence seems to be growing, playing on a team with malkin. Grabovski is playing with datsyuk. Two of the very best players in the league, both are playing great. Same with komarov who more recently returned to the khl and is playing with ovechkin and playing very well. Im really looking forward to seeing him in the NHL. Think he and mcclement will be 2/3 of a great 3rd line. Frattin on that line and that's one heck of a hard working line.
Anyways, I'm thinking kulemin, Grabovski, komarov are going to look fantastic when or if the lockout ever ends.
Grabovski, kulemin, komarov in the khl could benefit for the leafs IMO.
Mario Lemieux once said that playing with gretzky in the 87 Canada cup, gave him confidence to go back and play in Pittsburgh, taught him how to be a champion and be the best in the game. Now I know it's not to the same degree in players, or tournament/competition but Kulemin, Grabovski, are both getting premium opportunities in the khl. Kulemins confidence seems to be growing, playing on a team with malkin. Grabovski is playing with datsyuk. Two of the very best players in the league, both are playing great. Same with komarov who more recently returned to the khl and is playing with ovechkin and playing very well. Im really looking forward to seeing him in the NHL. Think he and mcclement will be 2/3 of a great 3rd line. Frattin on that line and that's one heck of a hard working line.
Anyways, I'm thinking kulemin, Grabovski, komarov are going to look fantastic when or if the lockout ever ends.
Jinx
Well the year after Kulemin played with Malkin, he won the MVP of the Russian Super League.
