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Leaf Rumours

McClement is smart and safe with the puck. He has no offensive instincts though. He can't pass. He can't shoot.

He can step up and fill a 3rd line role. But it'll be rough with him playing 20 minutes a game with Lupul.

McKegg isn't the answer either. They have to try a winger at center temporarily.
 
LeafGm said:
In about 70 games of action, McKegg hasn't even given any indication that he can be a good AHL player. Unless he's a faceoff whiz, I'd rather try one of our wingers at center ice. Hell, I'd rather ask TJ Brennan if he wants to try his hand at center.
Click to expand...

wlel, they're a bad faceoff team and kessel and lupul both stink on the draw.

maybe jvr can make the switch, but i'm not sure that guy has the attention to detail on his side of the ice.

what about kulemin? he has taken over 300 faceoffs in his career and is at 48%. he also brings size, and might be the team's best defensive forward.
 
mbow30 said:
wlel, they're a bad faceoff team and kessel and lupul both stink on the draw.

maybe jvr can make the switch, but i'm not sure that guy has the attention to detail on his side of the ice.

what about kulemin? he has taken over 300 faceoffs in his career and is at 48%. he also brings size, and might be the team's best defensive forward.
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Was Kuly drafted as a C? Seem to recall that. May not be a bad idea...

JVR-Kadri-Kessel
Lupul-Kulemin-Clarkson
Raymond-McClement-Leivo/Bodie/Broll/Ashton
Orr-Smith-McLaren

Maybe drop Clarkson down to the McClement line and put Ashton etc with Lupul...
 
Wayward DP said:
Was Kuly drafted as a C? Seem to recall that. May not be a bad idea...

JVR-Kadri-Kessel
Lupul-Kulemin-Clarkson
Raymond-McClement-Leivo/Bodie/Broll/Ashton
Orr-Smith-McLaren

Maybe drop Clarkson down to the McClement line and put Ashton etc with Lupul...
Click to expand...

Kule is pretty good at face offs
 
I think it will have to be 'center by committee' and we'll have to try a bunch of different options.

The saving grace is, while missing Bolland AND Bozak will hurt, it's center's we lack, not necessarily offense or top 6 players.

JVR, Kulemin should both get an audition at center before McClement gets a shot ... McClement is best used as a 4th line center and PK specialist, even 3rd line C is a bit of a stretch for the guy.

We should also call up Leivo to fill Bolland's roster spot
 
Yeah. Kuly's already versatile enough that he's can play either wing without difficulty. If he could translate that into playing center for us, that'd be huge. I'd be more comfortable with him at center than I would be with Kessel, JVR or Raymond. If Kuly can at least stay at 45% or above on faceoffs, I could live with this:

James van Riemsdyk - Nazem Kadri - Phil Kessel
Joffrey Lupul - Nikolai Kulemin - Mason Raymond
Josh Leivo - Jay McClement - David Clarkson
Fraser McLaren - Trevor Smith - Colton Orr
 
Kuly is big and defensively responsible. He isn't great with the puck though, but maybe he can be a Backes-lite for us. Plus as was said early he is okay on the draw. At the very least he gives some size down the middle.

Really they should use this as an opportunity to experiment with a bunch of guys. JVR, Kessel, Kulemin, Raymond. Why not? If they can find another guy on the roster who can play down the middle that is only a positive thing.
 
I wouldn't screw up JVR or Kessel by moving them out of position. You don't mess with success.

Use the guys that may not even be here next year, like Raymond or Kulemin.
 
I'd rather work with your best players/whoever works best there. Quality minutes down the middle are extremely important.
 
Trade for Brad Richards.

involve Franson and Bozak and Liles in there somehow.

maybe get Girardi involved, too.
 
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