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Kulemin and Grabovski to the Islanders

I like Kulemin. I liked his defensive game. But let's be honest, he's been an offensive black hole for 3 seasons now. At anything over 2.5 million I think he's overpaid for what he delivers.

And based on what I saw from Komorov for that one season, I could say the say for him.
 
bustaheims said:
Potvin29 said:
Pretty good top 9:

Nelson-Tavares-Okposo
Grabner-Grabbo-Kulemin
Bailey-Nielsen-Strome

Or however it shakes out.
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Yeah, and with Halak in net, it probably means they're not giving Buffalo a top 5 pick next year. Their blue line is still a mess, but, I don't think they're a bottom of the basement team now.
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Could be a significant difference.  This past season their goalies had a .898 SV%, that should be MUCH improved.  They could shave something like 40 GA off.
 
I really like Kulemin, but not at that price (at least without knowing if he is capable of producing more with increased offensive opportunities).  I also like Grabovski but that's a lot of coin if he doesn't score.  Both guys are guys who bring a lot of positives to the lineup though in terms of effort level during shifts so that will make them tougher to play against. 

Florida and the Islanders improved significantly from last year so that might have the Leafs heading to a top 5 finish next year.
 
Joe S. said:
But let's be honest, he's been an offensive black hole for 3 seasons now.
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He scored at a 39-point pace last season, with basically 0 powerplay time and generally getting ridiculously difficult defensive assignments. His 23 points at even-strength were 4th on the team, ahead of Bozak who spent over 90% of his even-strength ice-time with Kessel. He was just 3 even-strength points behind JVR.
 
CarltonTheBear said:
Joe S. said:
But let's be honest, he's been an offensive black hole for 3 seasons now.
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He scored at a 39-point pace last season, with basically 0 powerplay time and generally getting ridiculously difficult defensive assignments. His 23 points at even-strength were 4th on the team, ahead of Bozak who spent over 90% of his even-strength ice-time with Kessel. He was just 3 even-strength points behind JVR.
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And did that with McClement as his most common linemate.
 
Potvin29 said:
And did that with McClement as his most common linemate.
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By "last season" I meant the lockout year, and Grabbo was his most common linemate that season. McClement and then Kadri followed.
 
That may be but I'm going on perceptions from watching the games. It seemed to me that he didn't create many scoring chances, his shot isn't all that impressive and in close on goal he had hands of stone.

Again just my opinion based in observation.
 
Joe S. said:
That may be but I'm going on perceptions from watching the games. It seemed to me that he didn't create many scoring chances, his shot isn't all that impressive and in close on goal he had hands of stone.

Again just my opinion based in observation.
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Seconded.
 
I think Grabs will flourish with NYI especially if given lots of PP minutes.
Kulemin however, I just think he's been in a haze the last few years. Unless simply a change of scenery pulls him out of his catharsis...
It's been a full 4 years (2010) since his good season.

Here is a recap of the final scores for the "Mr. T" Man of the Match Thread, 2011-12:

Final top-10 points standings:

Kessel 35
Grabovski 30
Gustavsson 30
Bozak 25
Lupul 25
Reimer 19
Gardiner 18
Phaneuf 11
Brown 9
Kulemin 9

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENTS

Kulemin -- didn't get it done, last season looking like a 1-hit wonder
 
Who would you rather have? Clarkson and Bozak or Grabbo and Kulemin for about $500k cheaper? I can see the latter really lighting it up this season.
 
hap_leaf said:
Joe S. said:
That may be but I'm going on perceptions from watching the games. It seemed to me that he didn't create many scoring chances, his shot isn't all that impressive and in close on goal he had hands of stone.

Again just my opinion based in observation.
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Seconded.
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Thirded.  And I like Kulemin.

And Grabbo for that matter.  Was super pissed at how Nonis jettisoned him.  But neither is quite worth what the Isles paid.  OTOH both are solid vets who, as noted above, compete every night and will make NYI tougher to play against.
 
Wow, Grabovski living large over the past few years.  Huge buy-out from the Leafs, $3M from the capitals last year, and now $5 per year from the Islanders.  Grabovskis actual earnings over the last few years have to have him near the Shea Weber and Vinny Lecavalier stratosphere.  Nice work if you can get it.

At the same time, I don't begrudge either player this deal.  Compared to Brooks Orpik at $5.25, these guys are steals.
 
The Islanders put together two thirds of a quality second line instantly there. I'm really going to miss Kulemin and so are the Leafs, I hope they give him a more offensive minded role instead of the dead weight defensive assignments he was given regularly in Toronto... I have a hunch he'll earn that contract.

Glad for both of them.
 
Troy Bodie was scoring at a higher pace then Kulemin.  It does seem like the Leafs are not worried about defensive forwards.
 
I think it's an alright set of deals in the short term if the Islanders plan to use the two as the bulk of whatever their second offensive line/PP unit behind Tavares and co. but I do wonder if, should some of their pretty good pool of young forwards take steps forward, whether they wouldn't be stuck with paying these two 9+ million in a third line role. I don't think Ryan Strome is going to be a third liner for very long in this league.
 
For years Kulemin was my favorite Leaf. But that ship sailed. I don't think he was any great shake the last two years. I have no problem with him being gone. I would never pay him that money. I know NYI needs to get to the floor so good for them.
 
I'd take Kulemin at 4 over Komarov at 3 every single time.  Kuly was misused pretty egregiously by Randy the past few years, like so many other players.
 
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