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

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Considering some of the training pics, I could see that he gained a bit of it around the middle.

No, not like that. The kid has a washboard that could double as a small mountain range from the photos from his workouts earlier in the year.

Have to agree with JB, the team talked about how they were working on strength training and mass gain during the Amerk season, he likely was one of those (Rosen and Kisakov were mentioned as others).
 
Considering some of the training pics, I could see that he gained a bit of it around the middle.

No, not like that. The kid has a washboard that could double as a small mountain range from the photos from his workouts earlier in the year.

Have to agree with JB, the team talked about how they were working on strength training and mass gain during the Amerk season, he likely was one of those (Rosen and Kisakov were mentioned as others).
That NTDP mentality and using the NCAA-like weekend heavy AHL schedule was a huge part of why I expect he was talking about his body comp changes over the last 12 months.

And this is not a new thing. The Sabres told Reinhart to focus a lot on off ice training in his D+1 season in the WHL and to not just worry about putting up stats.

There may be a bit of an adjustment to the added muscle. But, I doubt it is a huge issue for him. And it is highly likely that the added muscle is a positive rather than a negative over the long run.
 
High expectations. he has significant holes in his defensive game as of last year. He is an easy player to let cook and bring up later in the year if it improves.
He wasn't great defensively last year but that's not really the kind of player he is. My thought is that the Amerks coaches bring up prospects like the Sabres in that they push offense first.
 
Considering some of the training pics, I could see that he gained a bit of it around the middle.

No, not like that. The kid has a washboard that could double as a small mountain range from the photos from his workouts earlier in the year.

Have to agree with JB, the team talked about how they were working on strength training and mass gain during the Amerk season, he likely was one of those (Rosen and Kisakov were mentioned as others).
The number one thing they told him to work on is being more physical, so it's great to see he took it to heart, even with the short season. He seems to take his game as seriously as Quinn does.
 
He wasn't great defensively last year but that's not really the kind of player he is. My thought is that the Amerks coaches bring up prospects like the Sabres in that they push offense first.
It's not that I don't agree with you, but they NEED to improve on team D, and bringing in liabilities is not a good idea, especially in the 3/4 lines he will slot in. If Savoie and Kulich are fighting for a spot Savoie will get a big advantage being better defensively.
 
Also interesting that he put on 8 kilos during the season. I know they're working hard to put lean mass on so many of these kids, but it's cool that he mentioned how much he's gained.
From Chain's post above, there was talk that he bulked in-season last year, which is rare. But like others have said, it's unlikely he gained 18 lbs in-season, then 16 lbs this summer. He'd be approaching Levi's 40 inch waist at that rate.

We'll see what they list him at for the Challenge, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's 185+. I think his frame is built to carry the weight and he packs on muscle naturally. Zero concerns about his mobility long-term, he's just a jacked goal-machine.
 
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It's not that I don't agree with you, but they NEED to improve on team D, and bringing in liabilities is not a good idea, especially in the 3/4 lines he will slot in. If Savoie and Kulich are fighting for a spot Savoie will get a big advantage being better defensively.
No doubt. I just don't know how much of that Kulich will actually learn in Rochester. And I've been saying for a long time now that Savoie will be pushing for a spot especially if there's no exception for him but his 2 way play may not be translatable in his first season or two in the NHL from juniors.

In short, I don't think there will be enough of a gap between them defensively to make a difference or if they would necessarily be in the bottom 6 to begin with.
 
No doubt. I just don't know how much of that Kulich will actually learn in Rochester. And I've been saying for a long time now that Savoie will be pushing for a spot especially if there's no exception for him but his 2 way play may not be translatable in his first season or two in the NHL from juniors.

In short, I don't think there will be enough of a gap between them defensively to make a difference or if they would necessarily be in the bottom 6 to begin with.
I am impressed with Savoie. But didn’t really show well in ahl last year. If ready for nhl, would have expected a bit more. He needs to be in ahl. Hopefully they let him
 
If Kulich is the better player in training camp and pre season , he will make the team over Savoie . Going to be a tight battle for that final roster spot replacing Quinn until he returns and will go right down to the wire
 
I am impressed with Savoie. But didn’t really show well in ahl last year. If ready for nhl, would have expected a bit more. He needs to be in ahl. Hopefully they let him
All of these discussions will end with, " let's see how they look in training camp" but I wouldn't put too much weight behind the short stint Savoie had in Rochester. Kulich, on the other hand, is impressive in how he's putting together an NHL body. It will be an interesting battle to watch and neither are guaranteed a spot
 
At the moment, Who is the 1st PP one time guy on the right side with the big club ? Do you guys think kulich one time is way better so he could have prime pp time with the club sooner than later
 
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At the moment, Who is the 1st PP one time guy on the right side with the big club ? Do you guys think kulich one time is way better so he could have prime pp time with the club sooner than later
Willing to bet it's Cozens this year. No chance Kulich is PP1, I would label him as unlikely to even make the team unless he has a stellar camp.
 
Yes obviously, but a couple of years from now, when he is a full time nhlers, would you say that he is likely to quickly become a force on the pp with the big club or do they already have those weapons with the big stars ?


Willing to bet it's Cozens this year. No chance Kulich is PP1, I would label him as unlikely to even make the team unless he has a stellar camp yes
 

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