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

[Dubi Doo]

I was told bringing up Kulich wont happen because its not EA Sports NHL 2023

Nothing wrong with allowing him to be an impact player while also rounding out his game on a contending AHL team. I'm pretty sure the Maple Leafs did something similar with Nylander.

I also don't think he'd light it up for the Sabres. If he's not ready to put up points, then let him round his game out in the minors. He's still incredibly young.

For reference, Quinn and Peterka were starting their rookie campaigns in Rochester at the same point in development as Kulich this season. Quinn had an exceptional rookie year in Rochester. One of the best of the past 20+ years. We saw that even though he tore it up in the AHL- he still had a lot of growing pains the following year in the NHL. Quinn was/is also a much more well rounded player.

I <3 Kulich, and thought he'd make the squad out of camp, but listening to posters around here who watch a lot of Amerks game- it sounds like he still needs some time to grow his game, which isn't surprising at all given his age.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

I personally think Kulich will be better off as a winger, but he's been at C in Rochester and there's a decent chance the Sabres are hoping for him to play C also. If so, he probably needs as much time as possible to develop into that player. Way to much to learn besides ripping shots past AHL goalies.

 

[TageGod]

I personally think Kulich will be better off as a winger, but he's been at C in Rochester and there's a decent chance the Sabres are hoping for him to play C also. If so, he probably needs as much time as possible to develop into that player. Way to much to learn besides ripping shots past AHL goalies.

Thompson
Cozens
Mitts

I don't think the Sabres are hoping for anyone to play center.

 

[tsujimoto74]

Thompson
Cozens
Mitts

I don't think the Sabres are hoping for anyone to play center.

I think it's possible Cozens ends up on the wing eventually, but we certainly don't *need* Kulich to become a center at the NHL level. My guess would be they have him there more because: (1) they like having options/lots of different players who can slide into the middle if needed; and (2) similar logic as with Tage, you might get even better scoring results if you can put that shot in the middle of the ice where the prime scoring chances are. And also maybe slotting him at C helps encourage him to develop good defensive habits.

 

[Djp]

Thompson
Cozens
Mitts

I don't think the Sabres are hoping for anyone to play center.

Except….if he doesn’t burn his ELC year this year. Then him and Ostlund are i6 yrs in when tage is a UFA

 

[TageGod]

I think it's possible Cozens ends up on the wing eventually, but we certainly don't *need* Kulich to become a center at the NHL level. My guess would be they have him there more because: (1) they like having options/lots of different players who can slide into the middle if needed; and (2) similar logic as with Tage, you might get even better scoring results if you can put that shot in the middle of the ice where the prime scoring chances are. And also maybe slotting him at C helps encourage him to develop good defensive habits.

Hope is the key. I imagine Sabres are happy with center core and were all assuming Cozens gets back to form. There is just no room to develop him in the NHL as a C he will have to play wing. So if they plan him on C long term he needs to cook down in AHL.

 

[Matt Ress]

Except….if he doesn’t burn his ELC year this year. Then him and Ostlund are i6 yrs in when tage is a UFA

Planning is important but are we making decisions about player development with weight on other contracts 6 years down the line?

 

[MOGlLNY]

There's nothing wrong with developing a guy at center in case of emergency. They're more valuable on the market as well. Especially when it's clear he's capable of playing wing already.

Planning is important but are we making decisions about player development with weight on other contracts 6 years down the line?

no only he is. Believe Adams himself has said they plan 4 maybe 5 years down the line at the very max. Too much unpredictability.

 

[Matt Ress]

Hope is the key. I imagine Sabres are happy with center core and were all assuming Cozens gets back to form. There is just no room to develop him in the NHL as a C he will have to play wing. So if they plan him on C long term he needs to cook down in AHL.

Maybe they're not planning on it but preparing for it. Injuries happen.

 

[Ace]

I think it's possible Cozens ends up on the wing eventually, but we certainly don't *need* Kulich to become a center at the NHL level. My guess would be they have him there more because: (1) they like having options/lots of different players who can slide into the middle if needed; and (2) similar logic as with Tage, you might get even better scoring results if you can put that shot in the middle of the ice where the prime scoring chances are. And also maybe slotting him at C helps encourage him to develop good defensive habits.

I agree but I’ve been yelled at for saying it

Planning is important but are we making decisions about player development with weight on other contracts 6 years down the line?

I am firmly in the camp of needing these guys to start getting NHL an experience. How many players are we planning on having be full time rookies next year? Benson, Savoie, Kulich, Johnson? Rosen? Seems like a bad idea.

Someone needs to crack a half a season on this roster

 

[Matt Ress]

I agree but I’ve been yelled at for saying it


I am firmly in the camp of needing these guys to start getting NHL an experience. How many players are we planning on having be full time rookies next year? Benson, Savoie, Kulich, Johnson? Rosen? Seems like a bad idea.

Someone needs to crack a half a season on this roster

Agreed. I think Benson is in the A next year, Kulich with the Sabres, Johnson stays, Rosen one more year in Rochester and Savoie is a ? now. But we have to get guys at least a cup of coffee so everyone knows where they stand. It's still early is why I think they're leaning on ROC vets but the youngsters will get their opportunities.

 

[TageGod]

I agree but I’ve been yelled at for saying it


I am firmly in the camp of needing these guys to start getting NHL an experience. How many players are we planning on having be full time rookies next year? Benson, Savoie, Kulich, Johnson? Rosen? Seems like a bad idea.

Someone needs to crack a half a season on this roster

There is a path to Benson and Savoie staying here this year. I think there is a 0% chance Johnson goes back down at this point he is too good right now.

 

[MOGlLNY]

There is a path to Benson and Savoie staying here this year. I think there is a 0% chance Johnson goes back down at this point he is too good right now.

As good as he is, fully healthy defense I don't see RJohnson sticking around as I think the Sabres would love for him to be getting consistent minutes. When we are fully healthy I don't think we can make that work. We aren't going to be sitting Clifton or EJ for him and Jokiharju has been really solid so far.

Agreed. I think Benson is in the A next year, Kulich with the Sabres, Johnson stays, Rosen one more year in Rochester and Savoie is a ? now. But we have to get guys at least a cup of coffee so everyone knows where they stand. It's still early is why I think they're leaning on ROC vets but the youngsters will get their opportunities.

We'll see how the season finishes but I don't know if Rosén needs another year in the AHL after this. I'd let him cook all year down there but man he is looking very good and plays a mature game.

 

[lecherous]

Kulich looks best at center to me because he has the speed and balance to crash the net a lot, plus he's looked really good backchecking and just covering his own zone. I really see him paired up with JJ a lot in the future especially 5 on 5 where we can just be constantly driving towards the net. I'm not trying to say Kulich isn't a skilled player but I think he thrives on more of a crash and chaos vibe vs. how our current top line operates trying to gain the zone and hold possession with crisp passes.

No matter what happens we're stocked up at forward for a loooooong time.

 

[joshjull]

Agreed. I think Benson is in the A next year, Kulich with the Sabres, Johnson stays, Rosen one more year in Rochester and Savoie is a ? now. But we have to get guys at least a cup of coffee so everyone knows where they stand. It's still early is why I think they're leaning on ROC vets but the youngsters will get their opportunities.

Benson can’t be in the AHL next season. Its WHL or NHL.

I agree with your take on why the Rochester vets are coming up first. I still think Kulich contract being able to slide another year may play a role in decisions with him.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

It's nice to get some of these prospects some ice time now but there's only one roster spot to try this, and it's Savoie's turn right now. Once Quinn is healthy somebody has to go - Olofsson by trade, Krebs waived (cutting it close with 12 games before waiver eligibility), or a goalie. If only one of those moves happens, there's only one spot to rotate prospects in and out of.

It would be a weird scenario if after the TDL a bunch of guys are getting time while the team is (hopefully) battling for a playoff spot.

 

[Matt Ress]

Benson can’t be in the AHL next season. Its WHL or NHL.

I agree with your take on why the Rochester vets are coming up first. I still think Kulich contract being able to slide another year may play a role in decisions with him.

Ah the darn CHL. Don't know how I missed that.

Idk about Kulich. He'll definitely get a few games up but the amount will probably depend on his play. I'm sure they won't mind sliding him again but they also won't mind bolstering the lineup if he's doing Kulich stuff in Buffalo.

 

[Zman5778]

Benson can’t be in the AHL next season. Its WHL or NHL.

If Benson gets an accrued year in the WHL this year, that'll make 4 years I think......which I think makes him eligible for Rochester.

 

[SECRET SQUIRREL]

Benson can’t be in the AHL next season. Its WHL or NHL.

I agree with your take on why the Rochester vets are coming up first. I still think Kulich contract being able to slide another year may play a role in decisions with him.

I don't think this is right JJ.... I'm like 99% sure he's AHL eligible next year.

*Exactly what Z said*

 

[Ace]

Thinks Kulich is ready for a call up - Baker

Doesnt think Kulich is ready for a call up - Rivet

…

Ive never been more sure of anything in my life than which side of this is the right one.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Thinks Kulich is ready for a call up - Baker

Doesnt think Kulich is ready for a call up - Rivet

…

Ive never been more sure of anything in my life than which side of this is the right one.

Both will be right. We’ll call him up only to sit him in the press box!

 

[Matt Ress]

If Benson gets an accrued year in the WHL this year, that'll make 4 years I think......which I think makes him eligible for Rochester.

Good point. Do you know off hand the requirements for an accrued season?

 

[Ace]

I don't think this is right JJ.... I'm like 99% sure he's AHL eligible next year.

*Exactly what Z said*

And here is why the WHL is the crooked pieces of trash they are.

an accrued season is 25 games. They shut the league down after game 24 in 2020-21 for this very reason.

Should be be free after playing that full season? Of course.

Will he be? Im not betting on it.

 

[joshjull]

Ah the darn CHL. Don't know how I missed that.

Idk about Kulich. He'll definitely get a few games up but the amount will probably depend on his play. I'm sure they won't mind sliding him again but they also won't mind bolstering the lineup if he's doing Kulich stuff in Buffalo.

I think he’ll get games at the very least to give him a taste.

But I’m wondering if they might want to keep him under 9gms to stagger contracts starting for our top forward prospects. Rosen’s already started this season. Savoie’s might also. Benson might be next year.

That said, I don‘t think they’ll go too out of their way to do it.

 

[joshjull]

If Benson gets an accrued year in the WHL this year, that'll make 4 years I think......which I think makes him eligible for Rochester.

I don't think this is right JJ.... I'm like 99% sure he's AHL eligible next year.

*Exactly what Z said*

Good catch. I’ll very happily stand corrected if this is the case.

And if it is true, then he’s definitely going back.