> Jiři Kulich, C, Sabres: The host Sabres were unquestionably the most talented team on paper at this year’s Prospects Challenge, led by five first-round picks and a four-pack of talented mid-round Russians. Noah Östlund and Konsta Helenius both created a ton of looks and were probably owed more on the stat sheet. Ryan Johnson looked like he played most of last season in the NHL. Isak Rosén looked like a player who led an AHL team in scoring last year and found the score sheet when Östlund and Helenius couldn’t. Vsevolod Komarov and Nikita Novikov looked like potential NHL D someday. Viktor Neuchev’s hands looked quick as ever. But Kulich, despite being the second-youngest of those five first-rounders, looked a clear cut above — like he was ready to play for and win an NHL job with the Sabres. He scored in all three games, scored twice in two of them, pounded his one-timer on the power play and, more importantly, was around and winning pucks, looking really strong.
BigFenton
I say throw Kulich on 4th line D and see what happens.
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> Jiři Kulich, C, Sabres: The host Sabres were unquestionably the most talented team on paper at this year’s Prospects Challenge, led by five first-round picks and a four-pack of talented mid-round Russians. Noah Östlund and Konsta Helenius both created a ton of looks and were probably owed more on the stat sheet. Ryan Johnson looked like he played most of last season in the NHL. Isak Rosén looked like a player who led an AHL team in scoring last year and found the score sheet when Östlund and Helenius couldn’t. Vsevolod Komarov and Nikita Novikov looked like potential NHL D someday. Viktor Neuchev’s hands looked quick as ever. But Kulich, despite being the second-youngest of those five first-rounders, looked a clear cut above — like he was ready to play for and win an NHL job with the Sabres. He scored in all three games, scored twice in two of them, pounded his one-timer on the power play and, more importantly, was around and winning pucks, looking really strong.
I say throw Kulich on 4th line D and see what happens.