The Nikolay Kulemin Advantage

There have been several notable stories on the success of your 2014-15 New York Islanders.  Whether it’s the additions of Boychuk & Leddy, Jaroslav Halak, the play of the 4^th line or the maturation of Lee, Nelson or Strome, there are several improvements that you could say are major contributors to the Isles success in the first half of the season.  For me, the most underrated element is the play of LW, Nikolay Kulemin.

 

When Garth Snow added Nikolay Kulemin as a free agent on July 2^nd, many thought that he was simply a depth piece that came as a sort-of cooperative package deal with Mikhail Grabovski.  While Grabovski has been an asset for the Islanders, he hasn’t exactly taken the league by storm with just 6 & 8 for 14 pts in 38 games so far this season. Nikolay Kulemin, on the other hand, has been a huge multi purpose asset for the Islanders.  His contributions as a solid two-way forward have come 5 on 5 and on special teams, especially on the PK.

 

Is there anything to the stat that says the Isles are 14-1-0 when Nikolay Kulemin records a point?  Well, in 46 games played, Kulemin has 11 & 9 for 20 points at a +1.  Pretty good numbers for a “depth player” on the third line for the first place Islanders, but Kulemin’s contributions go beyond the stat sheet.  When you watch Kulemin on the ice, he rarely makes a mistake.  He also is the kind of player who never stops working, even when he has been beaten on a play or is coming off a shift.  His relentless tracking of the puck and strong defensive game has allowed him to lead the Isles with 3 SHG (tied for 2^nd in NHL/Nash, Frolik - behind Toffoli with 4), who are tops in the NHL with 8 as a team.  It is evident that aside from helping his team, Nikolay Kulemin is on pace for helping himself to another career year.  Per Eric Hornick, “Kulemin, who now has 95 career goals, has scored five goals in the last five games and has his highest goal total since scoring 30 times for Toronto in 2010-11.”

Head Coach, Jack Capuano had this to say on Nikolay Kulemin, "When you play as hard as he plays, you're going to get results.  He's a guy that away from the puck, plays exceptionally well defensively. We can use him in some crucial situations, not just the penalty kill, but five-on-five."  As Kulemin continues to play well for the Isles, he will continue to earn more responsibility in key situations with the game on the line. 

If Kulemin continues his surge, he could very well be another one of Garth Snow’s best kept, not-so-secret, secrets in the NHL.

 

 

 

Isles Notes:

John Tavares & Jaroslav Halak have been added to Team Toews for the NHL All-Star Game & Skills Competition.  JT is set to compete in the Accuracy Shot Challenge, Skills Challenge Relay and Shootout tonight.  Halak will compete in the Skills Challenge Relay and Shootout events.

 

The Isles are an impressive 31-14-1, good enough to put them 4^th in points (63) in first 46 games.  That is the most wins in their first 46 games as a franchise.  Eric Hornick mentioned the Isles did not record their 31st win until they defeated Ottawa, 2-1 on April 2nd (31-35-10) last season.