As reflected in Kulemin's massive assist total? He's averaged an assist every 3 games this year. Not particularly convincing for someone who is supposedly creating Grabo's success.
Kulemin has been noticeably softer in all three zones this year, and his strength on the puck was previously his best asset.
The guy needs a wake up call. It's like watching a totally different player this year. - Leeman4Gilmour
He deserves more credit than you give him. For example last night he screened a shot that Grabo scored and didn't get an assist. He digs pucks out of corners all the time and has tremendous board-play.
But yeah, he's not as good as we thought/expected him to be or as he was last year. Maybe its just a bad year.
The game is 60 minutes. If you cannot close the door on a 4-1 lead with 13 minutes left, it's a debacle regardless of what happened before. 'Youth and inexperience' are correct responses, but that is not what happened last night. See my original post. - triggermartin
if he had said the game ended in a debacle, then he would be correct...however, he said the game was a debacle.
in that context a 'debacle' is a 'disaster'.
their game last night was far from a disaster. - Barx
Location: "Obviously, Reimer must be the, AB Joined: 02.02.2010
Feb 1 @ 11:52 AM ET
No, as reflected in him being instrumental in both Grabo's goals last night, but not by getting an assist.
Sorry man, but I just can't agree with any of this. He hasn't been soft at all, he's just lost his hands. Defensively he's still a rock. The reason "Grabo's" line is being matched up against other teams top lines is not because of Grabo, it's because of Kulemin - Big_Lightnin
We're watching a guy go from 30 goals to 9 (what he's on pace for this year). There's gotta be something wrong with his game, no?
Yeah, he can do some things well away from the puck and play a decent defensive role while chipping in a few goals and 30-odd points. That's a third liner.
Getting tired of seeing people using the youth and inexperience as the excuse of blowing a lead and losing the game. You know what they've been a team for 51 games half of them were together all year last year or some of last year.
With Kadri, Aulie, Frattin all out of the lineup the inexperience is gone from the lineup.
Gus whiffing on Sullivan's shot was due to 'youth and inexperience'?
Grabovski going for the empty net hat trick, but instead literally passing the puck to the Penguins defencemen with 20 seconds left was due to 'youth and inexperience'?
uhh not really? I'm sure Kadri isn't pissed that he has more goals than the guy who has season tickets behind the leafs bench as well........
Nice try at a comparison though, better luck next time. - Sheppy99
Point was, there is no way in hell Kadri replaces Kulemin in any lineup ever. It doesn't matter that Kadri has more goals than Kulemin, Kuli is way better at everything that is wrong with Kadri's game. He's the DEFINITION of why Kadri is being sent down - because he doesn't play like Kulemin without the puck.
When the main part of you game is offense, you better fill the net. Kadri's not. Kuli is a complete player who is struggling offensively, but he is the most reliable player in the other 2 zones.
Location: Big Vin Dog... Ya Damn Straigh, ON Joined: 04.13.2011
Feb 1 @ 11:54 AM ET
Getting tired of seeing people using the youth and inexperience as the excuse of blowing a lead and losing the game. You know what they've been a team for 51 games half of them were together all year last year or some of last year.
With Kadri, Aulie, Frattin all out of the lineup the inexperience is gone from the lineup. - Leafsfan9329
Exactly how many games have the Leafs blown when leading after 2 periods this year?
Gus whiffing on Sullivan's shot was due to 'youth and inexperience'?
Grabovski going for the empty net hat trick, but instead literally passing the puck to the Penguins defencemen was due to 'youth and inexperience'?
- triggermartin
Grabo fanned on it. He could just as easily have fanned on a clearing attempt. It happens.
Sullivan's was a slap shot from about 20 feat. Sure he might want a do-over, but that's not that easy to stop. 3rd goal however... SMOTHER THE (frank)ING PUCK
COdy Hidgeson is the best 4th liner in the NHL! - 13LEAFS01
Really, that's what you have to say?
Even IF that was true, at-least he is in the NHL.
Ow ya, i think he would be 3rd or fourth in overall scoring on the Leafs.
Has anyone heard from Prock?????????????????????????????????????
Grabo fanned on it. He could just as easily have fanned on a clearing attempt. It happens.
Sullivan's was a slap shot from about 20 feat. Sure he might want a do-over, but that's not that easy to stop. 3rd goal however... SMOTHER THE (frank)ING PUCK - Big_Lightnin
My point is that Grabo should not have been even thinking of the net in that situation. A simple chipped puck into the Pens zone, and the game is over. This is the stuff you learn, and is drilled into your head beginning at the age of 8 or 9. There is just no excuse for that play.
Getting tired of seeing people using the youth and inexperience as the excuse of blowing a lead and losing the game. You know what they've been a team for 51 games half of them were together all year last year or some of last year.
With Kadri, Aulie, Frattin all out of the lineup the inexperience is gone from the lineup. - Leafsfan9329
you're not counting goaltenders right ?
And this isn't really true. Leafs are still one of the youngest teams in the league even without those guys. They don't have enough of a veteran presence to calm them down in a game like that.
Point was, there is no way in hell Kadri replaces Kulemin in any lineup ever. It doesn't matter that Kadri has more goals than Kulemin, Kuli is way better at everything that is wrong with Kadri's game. He's the DEFINITION of why Kadri is being sent down - because he doesn't play like Kulemin without the puck.
When the main part of you game is offense, you better fill the net. Kadri's not. Kuli is a complete player who is struggling offensively, but he is the most reliable player in the other 2 zones. - Big_Lightnin
They are both plus 3 players. So saying Kulemin is amazing defensively and such a complete player still doesn't translate into the statistics.
Kulemin never has really impressed me. Even when he scored his 30 goals, most times it seemed he would either score to pad the lead when the game was over or would get a goal when the other team was up 4 or 5 goals. Personally I don't feel he'll ever be a difference maker and Kadri has that potential
Location: Big Vin Dog... Ya Damn Straigh, ON Joined: 04.13.2011
Feb 1 @ 11:59 AM ET
That was the first - Big_Lightnin
Thank you. I was hoping Leafsman would respond, cuz apparently we use youth and inexperience as excuses for blowing leads. The Leafs have been excellent at protecting leads (When leading after 2) over the last year and a half...
Gus whiffing on Sullivan's shot was due to 'youth and inexperience'?
Grabovski going for the empty net hat trick, but instead literally passing the puck to the Penguins defencemen was due to 'youth and inexperience'?
- triggermartin
Gustavsson might not be technically 'young' but he is inexperienced and is still prone to having gaffs. They have been fewer and farther between lately as he has been gaining experience and confidence.
As for Grabovski, he tried to get the line, as he was going for the dump his stick was checked from behind..
Some of the d were overplayed and tired, which leads to mistakes...again it's becasue they lack experience on the blue line and they overplay phaneuf.
I understand, you are so used to whining and picking apart their game, but after 45 minutes of their most dominating game, their are a helluva lot of positives that can be mentioned.
excellent hint!
SMOTHER THE (frank)ING PUCK 
