C Jiri Kulich - Rochester Americans, AHL (2022, 28th, BUF)

[Kevin Musto]

I know it says he's a C but at the U20 at Xmas and here at the U18.. he's played wing for us. Not saying he isn't or won't be a C, just never seen it.

I've seen him play center in the men's league.

I'm confident he'll play that position at the NHL level. He's comfortable and poised there, and good at faceoffs. That's where NHL teams will want him imo.

 

[Czechboy]

 

[Frk It]

I’m all about this hype train.

 

[BuiumSaveUs]

Stats look good. Who is this guy?

note to self: gud player

 

[Gstank]

Probably my second favorite forward who will be available with the Canucks 1st round pick in this draft class next to Marco Kasper.

 

[Czechboy]

 

[HoweFan]

Probably my second favorite forward who will be available with the Canucks 1st round pick in this draft class next to Marco Kasper.

Glad you have a backup plan cause Kasper isn’t getting by Detroit. I hope.

 

[GettingYourMoms]

He reminds me of Stamkos.

 

[LastWordArmy]

Czechia forward Jiri Kulich had a real coming-out party at the recent IIHF Under-18 World Championships, leading the tournament in goals. He was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, part of the Tournament All-Star Team, and a top-three player on the Czechia team. Overall Kulich scored nine goals and two assists for 11 points in six tournament games, as the Czechia team finished fourth in the tourney. He also played for his country at the World Junior Championships and had one assist in two games before the tournament was cancelled/postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

Jiri Kulich Scouting Report: 2022 NHL Draft #26

Jiri Kulich Scouting Report: Czechia forward Jiri Kulich had a coming-out party at the Under-18 Worlds, leading the tournament in goals.

lastwordonsports.com

 

[Johnny97]

TOP 20 candidate?

 

[GermanSpitfire]

TOP 20 candidate?

For sure - his showing at the u-18's turned alot of heads, me included.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Picked by Cape Breton 3rd overall in the 2022 CHL import draft.

 

[pgfan66]

Picked by Cape Breton 3rd overall in the 2022 CHL import draft.

No idea what’ll actually happen and I’m sure his NHL team will have a word to add to the conversation. But I heard he wants to play CHL next season.

 

[Evgeny Oliker]

so what is his upside exactly?

He reminds me of Zednik a lot. Quick, physical , can score but lacks vision.

 

[GettingYourMoms]

so what is his upside exactly?

He reminds me of Zednik a lot. Quick, physical , can score but lacks vision.

Bo Horvat

 

[Kase]

so what is his upside exactly?

He reminds me of Zednik a lot. Quick, physical , can score but lacks vision.

My view on Kulich might be different than the popular opinion, but I hope he is developed as a shutdown center.

I've liked him more as a center than a winger, as he was very good defensively while playing center in Czech league. Might very well be the most impressive defensive play by a center that I've seen from anyone in this draft. But I think his limited playmaking ability and mediocre puck control will hamper his ability to contribute offensively, and because of that I'm not sure how well he would do in a offensive top 6 role.

I think great outcome for him would be Eriksson Ek type of center, i.e. a great shutdown center in a middle 6 line. Kulich and Eriksson Ek share quite bit of similarities as prospects. Strong skaters, hardworking, responsible and offensively their best asset is shot/goal scoring. At the same age I'd say kulich is slightly better skater and has better one timer, while Eriksson Ek was slightly bigger, stronger and had better puck control, at least as far as I remember. Both lack a bit in skill and creativity which is the reason they do better in a simple straight forward brand of hockey.

Kulich's ability to one time the puck might give him the edge in being able to transfer his goal scoring by shooting to the NHL, which is something that Eriksson Ek has struggled with. This also makes Kulich more appealing option for a PP role. It's possible that kulich could do well in a offensive line, but imo in this case his wingers should be the primary play/scoring chance drivers and kulich would be the workhorse and triggerman for that line.

So, I think his upside is a shutdown center who will not score a ton on 5v5 but will make sure to outscore his opponents, and because of that he is able to play big minutes even on 5v5. He could also play an important role for PK and PP units. And that is a lot of value, and because of that imo he is worth a top 20 pick in this draft. And I hope he doesn't play CHL next season..

 

[MMC]

Welcome to Buffalo

 

[BKarchitect]

Buffalo is killing this draft. It is unlikely that all three of Savoie, Ostlund and Kulich turn into impact players. But boy do I like their chances that they've given themselves good odds on hitting on some gold tonight.

 

[PanniniClaus]

Buffalo is killing this draft. It is unlikely that all three of Savoie, Ostlund and Kulich turn into impact players. But boy do I like their chances that they've given themselves good odds on hitting on some gold tonight.

Going to play with the Cape Breton eagles so we will get a good look at him this year. Plus a couple World Junior tourneys.

 

[Realgud]

Buffalo is killing this draft. It is unlikely that all three of Savoie, Ostlund and Kulich turn into impact players. But boy do I like their chances that they've given themselves good odds on hitting on some gold tonight.

Savoie was 5th for me, Ostlund 2nd and Kulich 12th. Needless to say, I'm a giant fan of BUF's first round picks today. Unreal. Can't wait to see how these guys develop. All elite upside.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Savoie was 5th for me, Ostlund 2nd and Kulich 12th. Needless to say, I'm a giant fan of BUF's first round picks today. Unreal. Can't wait to see how these guys develop. All elite upside.

What made you put Ostlund 2nd? Seems like an outlier opinion for sure.

 

[Realgud]

What made you put Ostlund 2nd? Seems like an outlier opinion for sure.

Yeah definitely. I wrote a few posts about it. You can probably find them under my name in the Wings board.

 

[wingerdinger]

surprised he dropped that far thought with his monster u18 he'd go in the teens.

 

[Ace]

I am the biggest fan of this player. As i said on the Sabres board he would have been my pick at 16. getting him at 28 is just delightful

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Buffalo went all-in on centres. Easier to turn a center into a winger than the other way around. Like all 3 picks - this one is fantastic value.