Time to re-insert our best back checker?

WTFMAN99 · 10-04-2009, 12:23 AM

That man has a name, its Nikolai Kulemin. While many of you will have your words for him, there is something I can say without a doubt in my mind. He backchecks the best on our team, you'd think he's leading a rush into the offensive zone.

I'm not about to hit the panic button a few games in. I am of the opinion that Kulemin should of been in from the start. I am also wondering if perhaps it would be best if we could find a way to get Bozak into the line up? I think he would be fine on the 3rd line. Its sure not a defensive/bang line. Stempniak, Mitchell, and Wallin are just failed offensive players for the most part.

Hagman-Stajan-Blake
Poni-Grabs-Kulemin
Stalberg-Bozak-J.Mitchell
Orr-Primeau-Mayers

P.S. Beachemin and Komisarek will rebound...

P.P.S. Stop crying about Ron Wilson everyone, he's forgotten more about hockey then 99% of the posters here could hope to know period.

CanadaBacon · 10-04-2009, 12:25 AM

He really didnt do much to show he should be in. If the rest of Oct is bad then sure but.....

CanadaBacon · 10-04-2009, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WTFMAN99

That man has a name, its Nikolai Kulemin. While many of you will have your words for him, there is something I can say without a doubt in my mind. He backchecks the best on our team, you'd think he's leading a rush into the offensive zone.

I'm not about to hit the panic button a few games in. I am of the opinion that Kulemin should of been in from the start. I am also wondering if perhaps it would be best if we could find a way to get Bozak into the line up? I think he would be fine on the 3rd line. Its sure not a defensive/bang line. Stempniak, Mitchell, and Wallin are just failed offensive players for the most part.

Hagman-Stajan-Blake
Poni-Grabs-Kulemin
Stalberg-Bozak-J.Mitchell
Orr-Primeau-Mayers

P.S. Beachemin and Komisarek will rebound...

P.P.S. Stop crying about Ron Wilson everyone, he's forgotten more about hockey then 99% of the posters here could hope to know period.

That was the best line all night

Ps sorry bout the two posts, i drink alot when the leafs play

WTFMAN99 · 10-04-2009, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadaBacon

He really didnt do much to show he should be in. If the rest of Oct is bad then sure but.....

4 points in 6 pre-season games versus Stempniak who had 5 in 6 games despite Stempniak having the age advantage, more NHL seasons and more familiarity still with the NHL style of hockey.

Whats the difference?

The Big Swede · 10-04-2009, 12:28 AM

I agree

Kulemin can bring the puck all the way in the offensive zone and then be the first one on the backcheck

Leaf Army · 10-04-2009, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WTFMAN99

P.P.S. Stop crying about Ron Wilson everyone, he's forgotten more about hockey then 99% of the posters here could hope to know period.

Maybe that's the problem then. He's forgotten it all.

It's funny. Our starting goalie has a save percentage of .650 and people want to blame our backcheckers.

No amount of backcheckers is going to help unless we find a goalie who can stop the damn puck.

CanadaBacon · 10-04-2009, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WTFMAN99

4 points in 6 pre-season games versus Stempniak who had 5 in 6 games despite Stempniak having the age advantage, more NHL seasons and more familiarity still with the NHL style of hockey.

Whats the difference?

Keep in mind that Stemp was not very good last year. It looks like he MAY be back to the better era and if so then Kulemin really has no spot.

CanadaBacon · 10-04-2009, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leaf Army

Maybe that's the problem then. He's forgotten it all.

It's funny. Our starting goalie has a save percentage of .650 and people want to blame our backcheckers.

No amount of backcheckers is going to help unless we find a goalie who can stop the damn puck.

.625

Its not like we had any Heatley's

JonasFrogren · 10-04-2009, 12:32 AM

When you said Kulemin was good at back checking, my reaction was the same as your name.

The Big Swede · 10-04-2009, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadaBacon

Keep in mind that Stemp was not very good last year. It looks like he MAY be back to the better era and if so then Kulemin really has no spot.

Contract year.....after he gets another 2-3 years hell stink it up

CanadaBacon · 10-04-2009, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Big Swede

Contract year.....after he gets another 2-3 years hell stink it up

well you could be right or you could be wrong so that point is moot

ULF_55 · 10-04-2009, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadaBacon

Keep in mind that Stemp was not very good last year. It looks like he MAY be back to the better era and if so then Kulemin really has no spot.

They are different players and do different jobs.

And Kulemin is 40 months younger.

There is room for both of them on the team.

I'd rather have Stempniak and Kulemin on the same team than have Hagman and Blake on the same team.

Bomber0104 · 10-04-2009, 01:11 AM

Yes.. please put Kulemin and Bozak in there

CanadaBacon · 10-04-2009, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bomber0104

Yes.. please put Kulemin and Bozak in there

Who would come out for each?

One Trick Pony · 10-04-2009, 01:13 AM

Blake-Stajan-Stalberg
Ponikarovsky-Grabovski-Kulemin
Hagman-Mitchell-Stempniak
Orr-Mayers-Wallin

and when Kessel returns:

Ponikarovsky-Grabovski-Kessel
Blake-Stajan-Stalberg
Kulemin-Hagman-Stempniak
Wallin-Mitchell-Orr

ULF_55 · 10-04-2009, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadaBacon

Who would come out for each?

Wallin - Bozak
Blake - Kulemin

Mess · 10-04-2009, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by One Trick Pony

Blake-Stajan-Stalberg
Ponikarovsky-Grabovski-Kulemin
Hagman-Mitchell-Stempniak
Orr-Mayers-Wallin

and when Kessel returns:

Ponikarovsky-Grabovski-Kessel
Blake-Stajan-Stalberg
Kulemin-Hagman-Stempniak
Wallin-Mitchell-Orr

When Kessel returns from what I have seen so far Stempniak and Mitchell might be our best forwards this season..

Stempniak -- Mitchell --- Kessel would be my choice .

CanadaBacon · 10-04-2009, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ULF_55

Wallin - Bozak
Blake - Kulemin

idk man, didnt think you would get that drastic

MikhailStefanovich · 10-04-2009, 01:37 AM

I agree, this lineup needs more Kulemin.

CanadaBacon · 10-04-2009, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikhailStefanovich

I agree, this lineup needs more Kulemin.

It needs more Kovalchuk

Mohaj · 10-04-2009, 02:03 AM

Ponikarovsky-Stajan-Kessel/Stempniak
Hagman-Grabovsky-Stempniak/Blake
Blake/Kulemin-Bozak-Mitchell
Kulemin/Orr-Wallin-Primeau

Kaberle-Komisarek
Van Ryn-Beachemin
Schenn-Gunnarson/White/Finger

Gustavsson
Macdonald

CanadaBacon · 10-04-2009, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mohaj

Ponikarovsky-Stajan-Kessel/Stempniak
Hagman-Grabovsky-Stempniak/Blake
Blake/Kulemin-Bozak-Mitchell
Kulemin/Orr-Wallin-Primeau

Kaberle-Komisarek
Van Ryn-Beachemin
Schenn-Gunnarson/White/Finger

Gustavsson
Macdonald

yikes

Depo · 10-04-2009, 11:36 AM

Kulemin should be in the linup, not sure why we still have Mayers around. Mayers out, wallin to the 4th line and Kulemin with Stemps and Mitch.

ocrighton · 10-04-2009, 12:26 PM

yes he should have been in from the start. Wallin is easily the worst player on the team he can't do anything kulemin is 1000000 times better

Mike1 · 10-04-2009, 02:27 PM

Kulemin should definitely be in the line-up. Especially when you have a guy like Mayers, who does nothing out there.