I wonder what the feeling will be about this IF he repeats last years performance?
Wouldn't bother me all that much TBH. At this point, I see him as a less gritty/pesky replacement to Armstrong. He's good defensively, does good work along the boards (even if he doesn't knock people through it), and he'll play a lot more games for us in the next two seasons than Army has.
I'm fine with his cap hit, even if he repeats his performance from last season. I'm actually a lot more worried about Grabo's defensive game should Kulie find himself as a permanent part of the 3rd line. I think that $5.5M contract could look even worse than it does already.
Really? You sure about that? I've never seen him balk from going in the corners, or avoid contact. Sure, he's not a fighter but then again he wasn't drafted to be one.
Just because he doesn't have a mean streak, it doesn't mean he's a "puss". I would much rather him back checking and preventing goals, rather than plastering guys on walls and getting out of position...but that's just me.
This is what makes you a Naive fan , the comment you quoted was a response to one regarding an open ice hit , when you knock guys on their backsides coming through the neutral zone they don't score from that position making this the ultimate in back checking , and the fact that they scaled this contact with a decent raise in the second year shows they are expecting some growth in his game .
600 000 dollar raise for a **** season. Must be nice
Pretty much what that idiot Howard Berger tweeted today. Then of course, he riled up a bunch of fans who were tweeting back at them and he replied to them with obnoxious taunts.
Can't wait for people to eat crow on this contract when Kulemin has a good season again.
Glad he'll be staying and will have a chance to prove he can bounce back in Toronto.
Kulemin is the kind of guy that makes me proud to be a Leafs fan. It's great to see that kind of player donning the blue and white. Trading him would have been a big mistake. A forward with that kind of talent and that kind of work ethic isn't easy to come across these days.
And for what it's worth, I think he has too much talent not to bounce back.
Glad he'll be staying and will have a chance to prove he can bounce back in Toronto.
Kulemin is the kind of guy that makes me proud to be a Leafs fan. It's great to see that kind of player donning the blue and white. Trading him would have been a big mistake. A forward with that kind of talent and that kind of work ethic isn't easy to come across these days.
And for what it's worth, I think he has too much talent not to bounce back.
Not sure re-signing and therefore guaranteed staying is the only possible outcome.
However I agree his potential to bounce back and have a solid season is certainly highly probable.
The fact he works hard and contributes to the team even when not scoring makes him a valuable edition to the team that has few and far players like him in regards to intangibles.
I can see Carlyle using him more in a checking/shutdown role because of his abilities away from the puck.
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Signature: There is no greater demonstration of Fan patience then to suggest to "Play the Kids " and be willing to accept the consequences of those actions..
Not sure re-signing and therefore guaranteed staying is the only possible outcome.
However I agree his potential to bounce back and have a solid season is certainly highly probable.
The fact he works hard and contributes to the team even when not scoring makes him a valuable edition to the team that has few and far players like him in regards to intangibles.
I can see Carlyle using him more in a checking/shutdown role because of his abilities away from the puck.
Yeah, but I think he'll stay with Toronto for at-least the duration for the first two thirds of next season. If he isn't playing well, a trade around February or close to the trade deadline might be possible.
I would also like to see him start on the third line next season.
If we have Lupul, Bozak, Kessel, Kadri, Grabovski, Van Reimsdyk in the top six, Kulemin could always fit on the third line LW with McClement and either Frattin or someone else if Frattin isn't ready by the time the season starts.
Ohio, first time I noticed your moder-ship. HoH board?
edit: Fantasy board I see. 'Grats.
Cheers Squiffy. Yeah, the HFNHL needed someone to help with housekeeping on our board, I was foolish enough to make inquiries, and Badda-bing, Badda-boom, my name turns blue and I have this whole of host of (largely ignored) other responsibilities.
Believe it or not, the HFNHL - Hockey's Future's sim hockey offshoot - turns 15 this season. Guys I once drafted are approaching retirement age.
Damn, I'm getting old!
Anyway, hope you're earning your name tonight and getting Squiffy with somebody you love - or, failing that, with someone who at least knows some good tricks
Heh.. Ya, it'll move fast if they got someone interested and a spot to fill. Top notch choice, knowledge of the board and good level headed poster, great fit. Watch yourself, it's a short jump to mod'ing this board now lol..
My Squiffiness is way down, kids are killer on Squiffiness lol..
__________________ bWo: If you don't know, you should know...Buds WORLD Order Constitution
Adj: "Squiffy" - stupefied by a chemical substance (esp. alcohol)
Heh.. Ya, it'll move fast if they got someone interested and a spot to fill. Top notch choice, knowledge of the board and good level headed poster, great fit. Watch yourself, it's a short jump to mod'ing this board now lol..
My Squiffiness is way down, kids are killer on Squiffiness lol..
Lol, thanks for the kind words, but you couldn't pay me to mod this board: WAAAY too much drama!
And yeah, my three-year-old has definitely put a dent in my libations. But working out three-year-old logic is a lot like talking to a drunk person, so I still get some of the experience.
Back on topic - surprised Mess didn't remind us how Kulemin was his pick even before his draft year. I'm sure it'll just "happen" to come up when Kule goes back to 20+ goal form.
(Just yanking your chain, Mess, you know I was right there beside you beating the drum for him. Gratified he's turned out more or less as we projected, and very glad to have him with the club for another two years.)
Kyle Okposo 2011-2012 New York Islanders NHL 79 24 21 45 46
Kyle Brodziak 2011-2012 Minnesota Wild NHL 82 22 22 44 66
Franz Nielsen 2011-2012 New York Islanders NHL 82 17 30 47
David Clarkson 2011-2012 New Jersey Devils NHL 80 30 16 46 138
Steve Downie 2011-2012 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 55 12 16 28 121
Steve Ott 2011-2012 Dallas Stars NHL 74 11 28 39 156
Good contract. Great contract if he can get back to 20-30 goals.
Love the signing, love the player. That being said, he's not as bad offensively as he showed last season, nor do I think he's as good offensively as he showed two seasons ago. I think this season Kulemin settles comfortably somewhere in the 20-25 goal range and maintains that production consistently.
