Prospect Info: C/W Jiri Kulich, 28th Overall, 2022 NHL Draft; Recalled 11/15/2024
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GettingYourMoms
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Kulich takes advantage of a bad Hughes turnover and ices it. He looked really good this game (1+2).
PatLaFontaineASMR
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GettingYourMoms
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Ace
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At the under 18s he had a hat trick to upset Canada in OT. And now he had a 3 point night to upset the US at the under 20s.
Big game player.
Big game player.
Fjordy
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old kummelweck
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This is what I expect to see out of a high first round pick at the WJC. Could be a steal at 28. The anticipation on the ENG made the Hughes decision look really bad.
truthbluth
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Crapped out after 2. I just can't do late nights anymore. Kulich was dangerous. Really impressed. Looked about the same as in the U18s, against much better competition. He looks ready for Rochester to me.
WhereAreTheCookies
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I think that while he looks ready in some regards to play in Rochester, whether he does go there vs. he CHL may well depend on whether the Sabres want to develop him at C vs. the W. Or if there are specific aspects of his game they think he can develop more readily at a lower level....
For example, according the folks at HockeyProspect (which I assume either @Chainshot or @Der Jaeger mentioned earlier in this thread), the thing that they say held Kulich back is the lack of high end playmaking. It's one of the reasons he likely slipped a bit in the draft and also why they think it's more likely that he's a W instead of a C, depending on how that part of his game does/doesn't develop. I think he's more likely to be able to take a top line role in that regard and develop that part of his game if put into the CHL for a year rather than going straight to Rochester, given his age and being his first year on NA size ice.
And of course, the good thing of course is that because he's drafted from Europe, we could take him out of the CHL after 1 year and then put him in the AHL. I think him being utterly dominant there and playing 1st line, 1st PP, PK, etc., it might be more likely to happen there vs. Rochester.
It may come down to what the Sabres thinks of Cape Breton specifically in terms of their strength at developing players, or if they tell them he'll only play in the Q if they can trade him to Team X or Y if they feel there are a few other teams where they'd prefer to have him play.
For example, according the folks at HockeyProspect (which I assume either @Chainshot or @Der Jaeger mentioned earlier in this thread), the thing that they say held Kulich back is the lack of high end playmaking. It's one of the reasons he likely slipped a bit in the draft and also why they think it's more likely that he's a W instead of a C, depending on how that part of his game does/doesn't develop. I think he's more likely to be able to take a top line role in that regard and develop that part of his game if put into the CHL for a year rather than going straight to Rochester, given his age and being his first year on NA size ice.
And of course, the good thing of course is that because he's drafted from Europe, we could take him out of the CHL after 1 year and then put him in the AHL. I think him being utterly dominant there and playing 1st line, 1st PP, PK, etc., it might be more likely to happen there vs. Rochester.
It may come down to what the Sabres thinks of Cape Breton specifically in terms of their strength at developing players, or if they tell them he'll only play in the Q if they can trade him to Team X or Y if they feel there are a few other teams where they'd prefer to have him play.
Der Jaeger
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That's what BB mentions. I also think he's either a lower line scoring center (worst case) or could turn out to be a Pastrnak style winger.
truthbluth
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I like him on the wing better. Savoie and Ostlund are unambiguously centers, so, Kulich to the wing seems like a no brainer.
Yes, Brad Allen from HP has also said on their SiriusXM radio show on a few occasions that he could either be a bottom 6 C or play higher in the lineup on the W.
I don't agree with the Pasternak comparison though, just because he is a great playmaker and play driver, and I don't think Kulich has that kind of 1st line play-driving upside. He could certainly be a responsible complementary winger in the top 6, however.
But if ends up being an ELITE 3rd line W or C who is a great defensively and a threat to score 20-25 goals while also being a fixture on both the PP & PK and be used in all situations, that's a pretty damn good player and might be the ideal spot for him given all the other skilled wingers who likely project as top 6 guys. IMO of course.
Der Jaeger
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Agree. I think Savoie and Ostlund are centers in the long term, with Kulich moving to wing to take advantage of how he can drive on defenders and his shot.
I think Kulich is going to surprise. I don't see Kulich as the smooth operator that Pastrnak is, but in terms of driving offensive from the wing, I think Kulich can do it.
What's good is that, like Boston, if the Sabres develop their kids right, Kulich won't have to. Pastrnak can certainly drive a line, but he doesn't have to in Boston. I think Kulich may be headed to that same type of role. I don't see him outside the top 6.
Ace
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When you watch the highlight of his empty net goal last night…look how far he goes before Hughes moves that puck. He abandons his assignment because he knows Hughes is going to do something stupid there. When Hughes makes that decision there is nothing but wide open ice between him and his teammate. By the time he moves the puck Kulich is there and gone. When he starts rushing back Hughes hasn’t even made a turn to the wall yet…he isn’t closed off…he doesn’t have to backhand it to the then open ice…but Kulich reads that he will and buries him for it.
Its a high IQ play especially when the overall plan here is probably just stick to your man and don’t let a shot through. But he’s ahead of the rest of the players on the play. Hughes never should have made the pass attempt…but the odds are no one is actually going to jump that play like Kulich did. He’s practically in the goal mouth when Hughes is thinking turn and backhand it
Its a high IQ play especially when the overall plan here is probably just stick to your man and don’t let a shot through. But he’s ahead of the rest of the players on the play. Hughes never should have made the pass attempt…but the odds are no one is actually going to jump that play like Kulich did. He’s practically in the goal mouth when Hughes is thinking turn and backhand it
I think it's just really hard to predict whether Kulich will be top 6 or 3rd line based on all the variables and not knowing exactly what Mitts' future is, whether Krebs will be a C or W long term, etc..
Same with Savoie. No question both Savoie & Krebs could be C's, but there just isn't enough room for all of those guys to be C's with Thompson & Cozens as #1 and #2, not knowing what Mitts' status long term will be, etc.
The one thing Brad Allen seemed very convinced about when doing his Sabres draft review segment was that while Savoie and Kulich may end up on the W, he sees Ostlund as a pure C.
I lean toward wing right now, but however he develops, he develops. Parts of his game against his peers that stands out to me is his effort in puck retrieval over a full 200'. He's not just dogged on the forecheck, but he puts in the work up and down the ice. That's at least my additional takeaway from this U20's tournament. Finishing ability - both positionally and technically - and a commitment to a 200' game? Yes please.
Yeah, his play in the tournament screams wing to me. I've gone back and re-read the Black Book report on him and it lines up pretty well with what I've seen.
Ace
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The funny thing about figuring out where he fits in the future is that it’s less about him and more about everyone else. His shot is a top six quality shot. If you were looking at the current team and dropping a fully developed Kulich into it…he’d be an Olofsson replacement. Shot isn’t quite as good as Olofsson (that’s not a knock…Olofsson’s shot is super ridiculous) but he’s a harder to play against all around player on top of it.
If other players develop to the point where you have Kulich and his game as a third line wing…you’re doing very well for yourself.
If other players develop to the point where you have Kulich and his game as a third line wing…you’re doing very well for yourself.
