With this contract Kulemin is worth keeping on the team and also a great trade asset should it come down to that. UFA status at the end of the contract isn't really a concern because if he has a good season then it's time for an extension. If he wants to go that leaves lots of time to trade him.
Excellent contract ... If he can score 25 goals again next year, it'll be a steal .. But if he ends up around 15 goals and plays a good checking role on the third line, that's fair value
I wonder what the feeling will be about this IF he repeats last years performance?
Well he definitely has to shoot the puck more. I think he had the least number of shots in his NHL career last year, and maybe (who knows) most number of posts.
If fifty million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing. As quoted in Listening and Speaking : A Guide to Effective Oral Communication (1954) by Ralph G. Nichols and Thomas R. Lewis, p. 74
Well he definitely has to shoot the puck more. I think he had the least number of shots in his NHL career last year, and maybe (who knows) most number of posts.
Certainly had a few posts. I do recall his shooting percentage was high in his big year. Probably 20 goaler if her gets the chance in the top 6.
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I am VERY happy to see Kulemin back in the blue and white. Pretty bizarre to see him making half what Grabo makes, I don't think anyone would've predicted that a year ago. Fair contract though I like it
Grabovski ($5.5 mil) + Kulemin ($2.8) = 2 players at $4.15 mil average.
I think based on those players 2010-11 performances the $4 mil range for both was expected, so on average combined cap hits it balances out nicely.
I know McClement was picked up, but Steckel doesn't need to be guaranteed a spot.
Everyone has McClement penciled into the 3rd. line, but his career high is 36 points 5 years ago. He's been 20 and 17 points the last 2 seasons. He isn't a 3rd. line player unless you expect nothing from the 3rd. line.
McClement could take the 4th. line and special teams.
Steckel has a career high of 19 points, has good face-offs and can't skate.
It'd be an interesting line. The problem is who to play with Grabovski. I guess MacArthur and JVR? Possibly Connolly at wing? I wouldn't be surprised to see that as our third-line but with Connolly or McClement in the middle -- pretty legit checking-line. I think those two guys would be the type of players Kadri would need on his wings if he were to play centre: both are big, physical and have good shots.
I could see it working; especially since we may have to score our way out of games if we end-up going with Reimer in net again...
Kinda wish it was a longer contract but I think Burke saw the potential and heart-and-soul effort in Kulemin and knows he can rebound and that he is worth more. Good deal for both sides of the contract.
Great news! Happy to see Kulie back for another 2 years, at a good cap hit at that.
I think he bounces back next year. Maybe not to 30 goals but if he can score 20-25 while playing like he did the two seasons prior to this last one, then we'll have either a very respectable top 6 winger or a great third liner.
I don't like this deal - it is the worst of both options. It should have been one year deal that lets the leaf resign Kulemin for a multi-year contract then. Or a multi year deal that signs up the Kulemin before he expires an RFA.
This has Kulemin become a UFA and saddle the leafs with a expensive contract at that time.
I love Kulemin and am happy with this signing! I understand that some people were hoping for a 1-year deal so that he remains an RFA next year but really, if he has a good year (which I expect), he would require more money next season so that means we are saving some cash. Additionally, if Kulemin really likes the team and city then there is no reason to believe he won't get resigned before becoming a UFA in two years time. I know he likes to take a long time with contract talk as evident in the last 2 contract negotiations he had but there is no reason the negotations can't begin midway through the 2nd year of this contract, eg Grabovski and be completed before UFA status kicks in.
I don't like this deal - it is the worst of both options. It should have been one year deal that lets the leaf resign Kulemin for a multi-year contract then. Or a multi year deal that signs up the Kulemin before he expires an RFA.
This has Kulemin become a UFA and saddle the leafs with a expensive contract at that time.
I don't like this deal - it is the worst of both options. It should have been one year deal that lets the leaf resign Kulemin for a multi-year contract then. Or a multi year deal that signs up the Kulemin before he expires an RFA.
This has Kulemin become a UFA and saddle the leafs with a expensive contract at that time.
We all know that a Burke signing will be a disaster and it's just a matter of determining how it will be a disaster. Well done.
Based on the best option for the leaf is either 1 year deal where he is still an RFA.
Or a multiyear deal where the player is locked in at fair non-UFA inflated rate.
The two year deal has him expire a UFA and the leafs lose leverage over the controlled asset.
Based on the best option for the leaf is either 1 year deal where he is still an RFA.
Or a multiyear deal where the player is locked in at fair non-UFA inflated rate.
The two year deal has him expire a UFA and the leafs lose leverage over the controlled asset.
