Prospect Info: C/W Jiri Kulich, 28th Overall, 2022 NHL Draft; Recalled 11/15/2024

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If Kulich earns a spot there shouldn't be a problem.
Earning a spot is a tricky thing.


Guys already in the league typically don't have to do as much. And what is the definition of earn? Training camp, where the sample size is small? NHL action?

I think especially when a guy is in the organization, he can be evaluated and "earn it" by doing what the coaches ask.

This isn't to say i think it's a lock kulich is any better than VO next year, but i think there should be a path if he does things the right way.

Quinn had an ok preseason, but he earned his shot last year. If kulich were to come up following a VO trade, and isn't up to the job, maybe someone else is, or you look elsewhere.
 
I hope Savoi gets a chance. Loved his speed, and seemed to win faceoffs on a regular basis.

I'd love it if Savoie forced his way onto the team next year, but I just don't see it happening.

Earning a spot is a tricky thing.


Guys already in the league typically don't have to do as much. And what is the definition of earn? Training camp, where the sample size is small? NHL action?

I think especially when a guy is in the organization, he can be evaluated and "earn it" by doing what the coaches ask.

This isn't to say i think it's a lock kulich is any better than VO next year, but i think there should be a path if he does things the right way.

Quinn had an ok preseason, but he earned his shot last year. If kulich were to come up following a VO trade, and isn't up to the job, maybe someone else is, or you look elsewhere.

If keeps this up, and progresses next year; at a minimum he'll be in line for injury call up time. Expecting him to muscle his way onto the opening roster is a bridge too far imo.
 
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Earning a spot is a tricky thing.


Guys already in the league typically don't have to do as much. And what is the definition of earn? Training camp, where the sample size is small? NHL action?

I think especially when a guy is in the organization, he can be evaluated and "earn it" by doing what the coaches ask.

This isn't to say i think it's a lock kulich is any better than VO next year, but i think there should be a path if he does things the right way.

Quinn had an ok preseason, but he earned his shot last year. If kulich were to come up following a VO trade, and isn't up to the job, maybe someone else is, or you look elsewhere.
I think when people talk about earning a spot, it means a permanent position. So that would entail all of those things; strong play in a lower league, good camp, good NHL games, doing what the coach asks...
 
I don’t know when he will make the jump permanently but he started producing in the AHL faster than I expected. I knew his overall game would translate to any level…it’s why I thought he was pretty much the safest player in the draft after a certain point. But he’s 18 and it’s a hard league for young players. He hasn’t had to change anything to fit right in to being a key part of the teams success. The production is a bonus. He’s a guy I have no doubt makes the NHL sooner than later and sticks. Changing out some of what we have out there 5 on 5 for a more developed Kulich down the line is one of the exact types of things we need. I don’t know about next year but you can write him in marker for Olofsson’s spot in two years.
 
He could probably play in the NHL next year, but I'd like him to continue to develop his offensive game, I remember Girgs looked awesome in the AHL before we brought him up and he's been serviceable but I always wonder if there was more potential there. Kulich has vastly superior tools than Girgs ever had but I don't think another year in the A would be detrimental.
 
Earning a spot is a tricky thing.


Guys already in the league typically don't have to do as much. And what is the definition of earn? Training camp, where the sample size is small? NHL action?

I think especially when a guy is in the organization, he can be evaluated and "earn it" by doing what the coaches ask.

This isn't to say i think it's a lock kulich is any better than VO next year, but i think there should be a path if he does things the right way.

Quinn had an ok preseason, but he earned his shot last year. If kulich were to come up following a VO trade, and isn't up to the job, maybe someone else is, or you look elsewhere.
Kulich has the added complication of a contract that can slide another year.
 
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He could probably play in the NHL next year, but I'd like him to continue to develop his offensive game, I remember Girgs looked awesome in the AHL before we brought him up and he's been serviceable but I always wonder if there was more potential there. Kulich has vastly superior tools than Girgs ever had but I don't think another year in the A would be detrimental.
He is only 18 and while he has been great you can tell he can learn some more things at the ahl level we are finally not rushing prospects and it looks like it will pay dividends
 
We definitely need to stop rushing 18 year olds to the NHL. Let them marinate longer. Build strength, skills. and confidence. Dominate the level your on for awhile before moving up. I lke him alot, but would like to see him spend this year and next in the AHL, with a couple callups next year to taste the NHL. Next years team could be a Caulder team with Levi and a ton of high end prospects in thier 1st or 2nd years. Thats the kind of experience and winning you want them to experience.
 
I mentioned at prospect camp that I thought they think the game in a complimentary way. Kulich goes to where the puck is…Rosen goes to where he thinks it will end up. Kulich pressuring with Rosen thinking ahead seemed like a fit to me.

A very astute observation sir.
 
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No need to rush. Let him play in Rochester until he starts to dominate that level. That’s how you get Quinn and Peterka.

Rushing is how you take a prospect who should, low end, be a 3rd liner, probably 2nd liner, and turn him into a 4th liner. That’s what happened to Girgensons.

Don’t rush these kids.
 
No need to rush. Let him play in Rochester until he starts to dominate that level. That’s how you get Quinn and Peterka.

Rushing is how you take a prospect who should, low end, be a 3rd liner, probably 2nd liner, and turn him into a 4th liner. That’s what happened to Girgensons.

Don’t rush these kids.
Kulich has 3 fewer points than girgs d+1, in 41 fewer games as it stands.

I don't think league domination is necessary for every player, even though every prospect thread includes a post along the lines of "let him dominate ____ league."

Girgs was nowhere close, but I don't think the only options are peterka/Quinn performance or girgensons'.
 
Kulich has 3 fewer points than girgs d+1, in 41 fewer games as it stands.

I don't think league domination is necessary for every player, even though every prospect thread includes a post along the lines of "let him dominate ____ league."

Girgs was nowhere close, but I don't think the only options are peterka/Quinn performance or girgensons'.
While true it seems rosen and kulich both while good seem to have things that they can improve and learn from in the A although the season is not over yet but there is room for progression for them in the ahl
 
No need to rush. Let him play in Rochester until he starts to dominate that level. That’s how you get Quinn and Peterka.

Rushing is how you take a prospect who should, low end, be a 3rd liner, probably 2nd liner, and turn him into a 4th liner. That’s what happened to Girgensons.

Don’t rush these kids.
Or Jost/Newhook. Colorado botched those two.
 
While true it seems rosen and kulich both while good seem to have things that they can improve and learn from in the A although the season is not over yet but there is room for progression for them in the ahl
Yeah without having seen much of him I won't argue that.
Or Jost/Newhook. Colorado botched those two.

Newhook has been over a point per game at the AHL level. That seems like kind of a krebs limbo of surpassing the ahl level but still not being quite there for the NHL
 
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