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

[Chainshot]

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 they have a responsible 200' player who can play wing and center AND has a dynamite ability to finish, that's a Gus upgrade to me. Olofsson's already going to be pressured by Quinn and then Savoie in the scoring situations minutes. Regardless, it's a good problem to have at the moment.

 

[Ace]

This is what I’ve been thinking would happen tbh. I never really liked the Q as an option because it’s a step back and while he didn’t exactly tear up the Czech league (though his point total as a 17 year old in that defensive men’s league was actually really good. Not a lot of young players in there to even compare with) he also isn’t Brad Lambert in need of a big step down to try to find his game or confidence or anything.

He could go back to the Czech league but with how it seems Adams and company want to take some control over their player development and minutes as soon as they can do so (Kisakov, Rosen) it wouldn’t surprise me at all if they ended up here.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

I like Kulich in Rochester. Out of the three 1sts, he's the best suited to start there.

 

[Snippit]

I don’t mind him starting there but if he struggles he should be moved to the Q. The AHL is a hard league for 18 year olds.

 

[RefsIdeas]

I don’t mind him starting there but if he struggles he should be moved to the Q. The AHL is a hard league for 18 year olds.

My biggest worry is that he experiences what Girgensons did. He ended up just playing a more physical/energy role because he couldn't score - and never really got to develop as a scoring player.

There's pros and cons to each though. Kulich could get away with a lot of stuff in the Q that he couldn't in the AHL, which can lead to bad habits. He could also use the year to focus on developing his playmaking skills, an opportunity that he won't necessarily get in Rochester.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

I kinda would like to see him absolutely smoke the Q. If he can hang in the AHL let him cut his teeth there (or some goon will cut them for him).

 

[Jacob582]

My biggest worry is that he experiences what Girgensons did. He ended up just playing a more physical/energy role because he couldn't score - and never really got to develop as a scoring player.

There's pros and cons to each though. Kulich could get away with a lot of stuff in the Q that he couldn't in the AHL, which can lead to bad habits. He could also use the year to focus on developing his playmaking skills, an opportunity that he won't necessarily get in Rochester.

I thought of Girgensons too.

It seems like the Sabres are very confident in their current development plan/coaches in AHL Rochester.

 

[Zach716]

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.

Don’t get me turned on.

 

[GettingYourMoms]

Don’t get me turned on.

Ok i am going to turn you off, as a czech watching Pastrnak before he was drafted Kulich is not even close to Pastrnak. Pasta was looking elite in every single category, every single one and he started as elite playmaker, he was not even known for his goalscoring, he developed it to elite level later and he is top 5 winger in league without a doubt, its basically zero chance Kulich is going to come close to that level sorry.

 

[Zach716]

Ok i am going to turn you off, as a czech watching Pastrnak before he was drafted Kulich is not even close to Pastrnak. Pasta was looking elite in every single category, every single one and he started as elite playmaker, he was not even known for his goalscoring, he developed it to elite level later and he is top 5 winger in league without a doubt, its basically zero chance Kulich is going to come close to that level sorry.

I was kidding, maybe a language barrier. If any 1OA turns into the next Pasta that’s a win. I just meant he’s exciting man

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Ok i am going to turn you off, as a czech watching Pastrnak before he was drafted Kulich is not even close to Pastrnak. Pasta was looking elite in every single category, every single one and he started as elite playmaker, he was not even known for his goalscoring, he developed it to elite level later and he is top 5 winger in league without a doubt, its basically zero chance Kulich is going to come close to that level sorry.

You degrading him just turns him on more

 

[Der Jaeger]

This is what I’ve been thinking would happen tbh. I never really liked the Q as an option because it’s a step back and while he didn’t exactly tear up the Czech league (though his point total as a 17 year old in that defensive men’s league was actually really good. Not a lot of young players in there to even compare with) he also isn’t Brad Lambert in need of a big step down to try to find his game or confidence or anything.

He could go back to the Czech league but with how it seems Adams and company want to take some control over their player development and minutes as soon as they can do so (Kisakov, Rosen) it wouldn’t surprise me at all if they ended up here.

I get what you’re saying, but this path is kind of the Girgensons path. He got rushed to Rochester instead of going to juniors, regardless of the step back.

I think a well developed Girgensons turns into a monster 3C with a physical defensive game. I wish he had more time to develop at center prior to coming to Buffalo. He thrived at center under Nolan because Nolan had no system. Once Bylsma and Housley came along and added structure, he was lost.

Now he’s a great guy and a good 4th line possession player. But I never liked his progression steps.

 

[KrakenSabresMike]

I get what you’re saying, but this path is kind of the Girgensons path. He got rushed to Rochester instead of going to juniors, regardless of the step back.

I think a well developed Girgensons turns into a monster 3C with a physical defensive game. I wish he had more time to develop at center prior to coming to Buffalo. He thrived at center under Nolan because Nolan had no system. Once Bylsma and Housley came along and added structure, he was lost.

Now he’s a great guy and a good 4th line possession player. But I never liked his progression steps.

Difference is Z was coming from the ushl whereas Kulich was playing well in a legit mens league that Jagr plays in. Much different level of competition and thus kulich is likely much better prepared for the AHL.

 

[Club]

I think he's ready. Time and reps will tell.

 

[Ace]

Kulich said in an article about the game last night from I think it was hockey news that playing in the men’s league allowed him to develop his mental game and make him a better player. He doesn’t sound like a guy who thinks taking a step down in competition is the right move.

 

[Gras]

I get what you’re saying, but this path is kind of the Girgensons path. He got rushed to Rochester instead of going to juniors, regardless of the step back.

I think a well developed Girgensons turns into a monster 3C with a physical defensive game. I wish he had more time to develop at center prior to coming to Buffalo. He thrived at center under Nolan because Nolan had no system. Once Bylsma and Housley came along and added structure, he was lost.

Now he’s a great guy and a good 4th line possession player. But I never liked his progression steps.

Wasnt Zemgus going to go NCAA

 

[jmelm]

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.

Well, while all that you said is true….

Brad Allen & HP folks specifically that Kulich is very strong & smart defensively, as well as playing a determined & diligent defensive game, and has a great motor, which is why they think he could be a very high end 3rd liner because he has all those attributes and can play that role.

So indeed, while others in front of him may or may not dictate where Kulich plays; independent from all of that, Kulich plays a kind of game that you may really want as a 3rd line/2-way role player. It’s just that he ALSO happens to have a 1st line quality shot. And that’s why he could play 1st or 2nd or 3rd line. In short, he has the versatility to play a variety of roles at a high level.

So it may come down to what role the team wants him to fill and how they want to construct their overall roster/lines, rather than his ability vs the other guys on the depth chart.

 

[Djp]

Wasnt Zemgus going to go NCAA

He did have a scholarship to Vermont IIRC

Ok i am going to turn you off, as a czech watching Pastrnak before he was drafted Kulich is not even close to Pastrnak. Pasta was looking elite in every single category, every single one and he started as elite playmaker, he was not even known for his goalscoring, he developed it to elite level later and he is top 5 winger in league without a doubt, its basically zero chance Kulich is going to come close to that level sorry.

if he was supposedly so go, why wasn’t he drafted in the top 5 or are we looking back with rosr-colored glasses?

 

[Der Jaeger]

Difference is Z was coming from the ushl whereas Kulich was playing well in a legit mens league that Jagr plays in. Much different level of competition and thus kulich is likely much better prepared for the AHL.

Dahlin played in a men’s league and came over and struggled for a while. And he’s the consensus #1 pick.

I get the NHL/AHL difference. But very few kids have the ability to step into the AHL at 18 and develop properly.

There’s something to be said for going to the Q and being the man, playing every power play, every PK, and being on the ice for every tough situation. He’d have the puck on his stick all game in the Q. He won’t get that on Rochester.

Kulich said in an article about the game last night from I think it was hockey news that playing in the men’s league allowed him to develop his mental game and make him a better player. He doesn’t sound like a guy who thinks taking a step down in competition is the right move.

Which is why you don’t let 18 year old make those kind of decisions.

Wasnt Zemgus going to go NCAA

There or the WHL, if I remember correctly

 

[Chainshot]

Gus was also selected by the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL draft and something broke that relationship. While Vermont wasn't a great program, he would've had the chance to work on his game instead of winding up in the AHL where someone was gracious enough to give him a serious concussion in his first year. Then he started year 2 in the start of the terribad era of Sabres hockey and never found the offensive part of his game. Bylsma and he didn't get along at all.

Kulich is a player who already has more to his scoring game. Another season in the Czech league, getting bigger minutes and not the grind of the AHL seems like the better path.

 

[Push Dr Tracksuit]

Gus was also selected by the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL draft and something broke that relationship. While Vermont wasn't a great program, he would've had the chance to work on his game instead of winding up in the AHL where someone was gracious enough to give him a serious concussion in his first year. Then he started year 2 in the start of the terribad era of Sabres hockey and never found the offensive part of his game. Bylsma and he didn't get along at all.

Kulich is a player who already has more to his scoring game. Another season in the Czech league, getting bigger minutes and not the grind of the AHL seems like the better path.

Richard Panik

 

[Chainshot]

Richard Panik

Are you saying that similar to Panik, going into the CHL for two full seasons, then another in the AHL before graduating is a better path? Or just throwing names out who are Czech and wingers?

 

[Matt Ress]

Gus was also selected by the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL draft and something broke that relationship. While Vermont wasn't a great program, he would've had the chance to work on his game instead of winding up in the AHL where someone was gracious enough to give him a serious concussion in his first year. Then he started year 2 in the start of the terribad era of Sabres hockey and never found the offensive part of his game. Bylsma and he didn't get along at all.

Kulich is a player who already has more to his scoring game. Another season in the Czech league, getting bigger minutes and not the grind of the AHL seems like the better path.

Agree and add to that an organization with absolutely zero need to rush any prospects at this point.

 

[tsujimoto74]

Agree and add to that an organization with absolutely zero need to rush any prospects at this point.

The AHL now is a bit of a different league than when we drafted Z. Since Covid, that league has a lot more young talent in it. Which also means it has fewer goons.

Anyway, the Sabres have earned some credibility/respect for their ability to make good player development decisions from me since Adams took over. I trust they'll figure out what path is best for Kulich long-term.

 

[Matt Ress]

The AHL now is a bit of a different league than when we drafted Z. Since Covid, that league has a lot more young talent in it. Which also means it has fewer goons.

Anyway, the Sabres have earned some credibility/respect for their ability to make good player development decisions from me since Adams took over. I trust they'll figure out what path is best for Kulich long-term.

For sure and for me it's probably less about him being out muscled and more that I'd like to see him get a real foothold of the Czech mens league before being promoted to ROC. But like you said, I think the organization has a lot of faith in Appert, Peca and co.