Comments on: Rogers, BCE on verge of deal for MLSE

By: DannyLeafs

DannyLeafs — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:04:37 +0000

Personally I think demoting him to a checknig line before a scratch, simply because he is still a more useful player in a checking role then guys like Orr, Rosehill or Depuis. They could make a checking line with Armstrong, Kuli, and maybe Bozak, let Connolly center the top line, and bring up Colborne or Kadri and let them play top 6 minutes along side the Grabo and MaC for a few games.

Only downside is that Bozak has been playing well, but I think his improvement comes more from not trying to do too much. The Kessel line has been ok, but they are kind of fizzling to a single goal a game output, so letting Connolly try and get the pace up again would be something to try.

As for the second line, I think MaC and Grabo have played well offensively, they are just missing having a third contributor on that line, so a guy trying to make his mark this year could be a good addition to the line.

Finally, with Kuli, you let him play a role where he thinks about defense first and takes some pressure off. He can still play 13-14 minutes a game, and maybe the reduced pressure will result in a third line that chips in some good offense. If not, it has the added bonus of freeing up some ice time for Bozak to PK with Armstrong, something they desperatley need to improve on their last two losses, and something they did well together last year.

Finally, for a fourth line I would go with Steckel, Craab and Frattin. Again, a little more offense then the average fourth line, and those guys can forcheck well. I like keeping Frattin there for now, until you give Colborne or Kadri a handful of games to see how that works out. If they play well, send Frattin down for more playing time, or if they don't, put Frattin on the 2nd line for a while and send Kadri/Colborne down.

The bonus to Kuli is that he is not a one dimensional player. If it turns out his offensive ability from last year was just an aberrssion, it's not as if he can't be a good 3rd liner.

If there was a trade possibility for a guy that was an upgrade, I woudl be all for it, but chances are with a guy like Kulemin, the return offered won't likely be high enough. When he is at his best, you don't want to trade him, at his worst, nobody will offer up a relatively young bonafide proven top 6 forward, and any less then that for Kulemin is not really worth it.

By: mojo19

mojo19 — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:40:35 +0000

We won't give him a long term deal either. But he could be a great cap buster for next year. Lots of players have bad seasons, you can't try to build with only players who improve each year, because you'll always be disappointed. These players are few and far between. Even Alex Ovechkin, Eric Staal, Evgeny Malkin etc. All have had their off years.

Hell, even Jarome Iginla dipped down to 60-something points one year in his prime, then came back with like 90, and he was being paid huge $ for Calgary at that time. This shit happens, you should never write somebody off.

Just think, 2-3 years ago we would have been looking for players to pick up on the cheap who had once put up big numbers (say a 30 goal season), but were coming off bad years, in some kind of hopes to resurrect them (Joffrey Lupul anyone?) So I wouldn't write off Kulemin yet at all.

By: TheLeafNation91

TheLeafNation91 — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:03:17 +0000

He will not ask for a long-term deal guaranteed. Also, I don't want players that are going to flip/flop in play. He should be entering his prime now, its also his fourth year, if he cannot get it together...Still useless.

And if he becomes useless, then he will forever be known as the player we f u c ked up for Mike Richards.

He is not worth more than 2. 5 millon IMO, but he'll get more than that unfortunately

By: mojo19

mojo19 — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:53:00 +0000

And the good news is, if we re-sign him for around $2 mil per season, lets say, because he's been struggling. Worst case scenario is that he never regains form and he's useless. At least we won't have big dollars locked up in him.

Imagine he were having a year this season like he had last year, and next year he hit the funk he's in now. We'd be paying $4-5 million for a useless Russian. I really think this isn't a terrible thing. We're gonna re-sign him for less than he's *potentially* worth. Then we just hope to God he turns it around next year.

By: mojo19

mojo19 — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:50:53 +0000

If he continues to struggle into February I definitely would NOT trade him. He will have no trade value. I'd re-sign him on the cheap. I keep trying to tell you this is a blessing in disguise, we're gonna get Kuley on a great cap hit.

#winning

By: TheLeafNation91

TheLeafNation91 — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:54:39 +0000

I don't say move him out just yet...It depends if their is a significant uprgade available. If his sporadic play continues into February, I have no problem in saying Bye-bYe. If their a similar, more established player available...I'm trading him. If not, then were stuck with his useless ass.

In all honesty, I believe he should be scratched for a game because his production has been inexcusable thus far.

Sorry, disagree all you want, but he has been the only Leaf that has not performed this year. Each Leaf has done their job this year, but him.

By: mojo19

mojo19 — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:18:56 +0000

Definitely a possibility. Moving a struggling Kulemin would be a very short sited move in my opinion.

By: JoelLeafs

JoelLeafs — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 13:01:33 +0000

Thanks for helping me explain. Seemed like a relatively simple concept to me… oh well.

By: MystifoLeafs

MystifoLeafs — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 01:25:08 +0000

Honestly I have the feeling if Kuli gets boo'ed out then he will tear it up to what ever team he goes to.

By: mojo19

mojo19 — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 23:35:12 +0000

I'm sensing a theme. Kicking a guy when he's down isn't too classy though. You can start the boo Kuley outta town campaign if you want, but I don't think you'll be successful. I got rid of McCabe and Murphy though. haha