Player Discussion: Nikita Kucherov - Part 3
- Thread starter AlwaysSunnyInTampa
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JFedol
🅱🅱🅱 M.I.P Pac 1971-1996, Makaveli Tha Don 🐐
Quick Question, but do any of y'all think a potential 40pt playoff run is possible for Kuch?
He's not McDavid, but he made back to back 30pt playoff runs look quite easy during the cup years. 18pts through 2 rounds with injury in 2021, generated multiple chances with his playmaking and just completely dictated pace and controlled the game to a disgusting degree. I seriously don't think it's that........outlandish.
He's not McDavid, but he made back to back 30pt playoff runs look quite easy during the cup years. 18pts through 2 rounds with injury in 2021, generated multiple chances with his playmaking and just completely dictated pace and controlled the game to a disgusting degree. I seriously don't think it's that........outlandish.
TheDaysOf 04
[ 2 6 ] [ 4 ]
Technically possible but not likely. I don't think we are that dependent to score so much in order to go deep in the playoffs the way the Oilers are, so Kuch probably won't be out there constantly trying to keep us ahead.
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Are you the guy who keeps picking Kucherov to score 170?
I mean, if TB wins a lot of 6-5 games and has a lot of Game 7s, maybe. It's not out of the question, but a lot would need to go right for the entire team.
JFedol
🅱🅱🅱 M.I.P Pac 1971-1996, Makaveli Tha Don 🐐
Yessir. He's going against multiple top 5 players as centres for rankings, and that position is way too valuable. He needs another monster season to fully separate himself whether people like it or not. Kuch is a 1 man army + a lock for 100pts on his own but his haters will always mention the stacked lineup, the barrages of high quality centers centering him all throughout his prime and there really not speaking rubbish tbh.
There's just 2 examples of elite production without a 1C, the 2016 playoffs and the 2016/17 Regular Season. Last season was insane as a carry job as well, but that obviously doesn't even come close to other players like Crosby, McDavid, Mackinnon routinely producing all their magical numbers consistently for 10+ seasons while also playing a huge factor in offensive zone entries and possession time.
I doubt he cares, but a 160-170pt season needs to be his goal if he ever wants to realistically separate himself.
For sure.
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LightningStrikes
Champa Bay Lightning
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Sky04
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Kuch takes another one at least probably ties Mikita with 4, McDavid will likely end up with at least 7 for 2nd all time, Mackinnon's best chances were this and last year imo, he won't get one in his career.
Also, I would love to see how Kucherov would perform with linemates of Rantanen's or Draisaitl's skillset, everyone's crying because Tampa has a "deep" team but that does nothing for his personal production, don't get me wrong - Point is a great linemate to have but Draisaitl and Rantanen are top-5 wingers that McDavid and Mackinnon get to play with.
I love Hedman but he's no offensive wizard on that blueline imagine Kucherov bouncing those passes to Makar off the halfwall. Not sure if anyone catches Av's games but Drouin plays that position and is picking up a lot of points feeding Makar and there's nobody Kuch passes the puck to more that point position on the blueline.
Also, I would love to see how Kucherov would perform with linemates of Rantanen's or Draisaitl's skillset, everyone's crying because Tampa has a "deep" team but that does nothing for his personal production, don't get me wrong - Point is a great linemate to have but Draisaitl and Rantanen are top-5 wingers that McDavid and Mackinnon get to play with.
I love Hedman but he's no offensive wizard on that blueline imagine Kucherov bouncing those passes to Makar off the halfwall. Not sure if anyone catches Av's games but Drouin plays that position and is picking up a lot of points feeding Makar and there's nobody Kuch passes the puck to more that point position on the blueline.
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In my opinion, Point's main strength is his high percentage of realization; among serious players, only Draisaitl has a higher percentage. And this is very convenient for Kucherov. Plus, Point understands the game with Kucherov better than others, he rarely asks himself the question of inventing something, his task is to open up under the transfer or beat one-on-one by creating space. Don't hold the puck too long.
By the way, if MacKinnon were in Point's place, he would only have a 10% conversion rate for the season, and this is not the first time (11% over the last 9 seasons), plus he would definitely hold onto the puck more, thereby Kucherov would meet with it less often. His minuses were balanced with pluses, for example, Kucherov could finally knock out 50, but I am not sure that the number of assists would not decrease.
RDTBay4
Registered User
Kucherov has had a wrist injury since February per JBB. My guess is that it happened in that game where he got slashed on the wrist right off a faceoff.
He started shooting less through the end of the season, I figured because that is what he is usually does, but maybe this effected it too.
This is another reason why this guy should remain untouchable. I've never seen someone more dedicated to winning.
Now let's take the extra cap space and see if we can recreate a contender while he's still in his prime.
aylib
Registered User
Kuch should work on his decision making: taking shots instead of trying to force a pass every single damn time. By now he should realize that trying to fit a square peg in a round hole isn’t working.
His postseason play is as predictable as our first round exists by now. His physical skills are fine, I’d rather have him take a legitimate break and come back refreshed and hungry.
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Sky04
Registered User
- Jan 8, 2009
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I'm not for trading him especially at his cap hit but his play was absolute dog shit this run. Workouts are nice but it seems he's stuck in regular season mode all year. Spinning turnovers in elimination games? Did he drive the net once this series? Young Kuch was a playoff dawg, now he's Joe Thornton.
RussianBum86
Registered User
LightningStrikes
Champa Bay Lightning
- Nov 24, 2009
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LightningStrikes
Champa Bay Lightning
- Nov 24, 2009
- 26,314
- 11,522
Well, if we are willing to part with Cirelli, the Tuch idea has more legs.
They asked for Cirelli + on the boards. Tuch in a contract year has a little less value. Maybe Cirelli + Howard gets it done. I can't see them getting a better offer.
Or we could send Cernak + and try to replace him, but that seems even more difficult.
Because he's the same age as our core. And it's not Buffalo. And, depending on the length of the contract, a few years with Kucherov will get out a better next contract, even at 34 or 35, than anyone else. Look at Stamkos.
