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Toronto Sun: Kulemin Talks at Standstill

by on May 28, 2010 in Leafs News - 193 Comments

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From the Toronto Sun:

“What he is asking for is not what we are prepared to pay,” the Leafs general manager said Thursday, when asked why he and Kulemin’s agent, Gary Greenstin, keep giving identical terse quotes on the subject. “I think his agent is a good guy. But we will grind on and see what happens.”

There are rumours Kulemin is seeking $3 million US or higher after 36 points in 78 games, though the 23-year-old was one of the team’s most improved players.”

Kulemin’s agent is likely using Grabovski‘s $2.9 million x 3 year deal as a base for comparison, which isn’t completely out in left field. Nikolai finished the season very strong down the stretch, putting up 15 points in 16 March games alongside Bozak and Kessel. After the line was split up and Bozak was taken off it, Kulemin would go on to finish scoreless in 5 April games. So…. buyer beware. Kulemin is a great two-way grinder with a bit of offensive flair, but if you’re going to pay him like a top six forward, you better be ready to give him such a role because he’s not going to be creating 20+ goals by himself.

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  • Jordan

    He didnt exactly say he would NEVER, but he wouldnt for a player who he knew would cost too much some day. If were talking Lecavalier, he signed till hes 40 ao at age 40 he would be costing them $$$$ and cap space. But Kovalchuk maybe he offers a 7 year deal that would take him to 34. Im sure when hes 34 he will still be producing. Watch the interview, Burke also says he wants nothing to do with contract that GM’s obviously know or its obvious about their age are going to retire before the contract runs out and they make it so its wayyyyy front loaded. Lecavalier is a no go %100, but Im not gonna lie, I would love to see him here. Hes a great guy to have lead our offence. I personally dont think that in 5-6 years when he truly starts to decline that 7.7 mil will be as bad as it looks now. Remember the cap started at 39 and is now at ahout 59.

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  • Doorman
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  • Jordan

    @ Doorman:
    Thats the problem though, Burke said he wouldnt make any team be stuck with the cap hit. He seem pretty stuck on not giving more then 5 years. I heard he was going to give the sedins 7 but I know he likes them more then anyone. So maybe he would do the same for Kovalchuk. But Im serious, I would bet 1 000 000 if I had it Lecavalier doesnt come here. Too much money left to pay him

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  • Lukey DeSchennion

    @ Jordan:
    make that bet to burke see what happends haha

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  • long_suffering_leaf_fan

    Doorman wrote:

    What a depresing morning! As I can look out the loft window; Snow, Snow, And more fuckin
    Snow! WTF! I hope you guys are enjoying your weather back east.
    Whats golf? Hell I have not even put the top down on my stang convertiable this year. SUCKs!
    Merry Xmass!

    Shit Doorman where do you live Nunavut? 25 and sunny here in Barrie Ontario

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  • Bring the Cup Home

    go get marleau with that money burke. a 4-year deal for $6.5 a year i would do right about now for him.

    i would sign kovalchuk, but not at the money he is going to command. if you are going to spend TOP dollar, you need more of a leader than him.

    i would say that IF either one of those two ends up signing here this summer, we are in the playoffs next year. especially if we added another top 6 guy via a kaberle trade.

    i’ve said it before and i’ll say it again. i want hodgson for kaberle. i would take the risk as his potential is INSANE. to add another prospect of that calibre to our stockpile could easily turn us into the next chicago blackhawks.

    one of hodgson/kadri develops into a toews
    the other into a kane
    kessel is our hossa
    both teams with rock solid D
    no-name goalie who can get the job done
    both end long cup droughts
    ha

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  • long_suffering_leaf_fan
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  • Jordan

    I would much rather have Kovalchuk because hes a bit better and younger, but at the price I would rather have Marleau if its 8-9 mil hes asking for

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  • cobourg

    Do you think Burke could trade for the negotiating rights to Kovalchuk and Clarkson, like Calgary did for Bouwmeester last year? If he could, what do you think it would take?

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  • cobourg

    Didn’t realize Clarkson was RFA. Price would be higher because of that obviously.
    -
    Calgary traded Jordan Leopold and a third-round (67th) draft choice for JBo’s rights.

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  • Lukey DeSchennion

    @ cobourg:
    hello fellow cobourgian!
    and ya i think rights to both would be steep
    I think clarkson would be harder to get then kovey
    his type is in high demand right now

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  • Largus

    huh?>?

    TSN can confirm the Toronto Maple Leafs will add NHL executive Claude Loiselle as their assistant general manager this week.

    Sources say Loiselle has agreed to terms on a contract and will be responsible for managing contracts and the Maple Leafs’ salary cap.

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  • Lukey DeSchennion

    @ Largus:
    this is a good thing?

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  • Bring the Cup Home

    just dusted off an old video my friends and i made two seasons ago. watch here and get a laugh at all the guys NOT on the leafs anymore. and lemme know what you think of the video if you feel like. it’s not colored properly, but it’s kinda cool (i think anyways)……here’s a link:

    http://vimeo.com/4904797

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  • Michael Stephens

    Hey, a thought occurs.
    .
    Remember when the cap rose by leaps and bounds in the first couple seasons (39 to 44 million in 2006, 44 to 50 million 2007) and then players like Drury, Briere and Smyth were signed to retarded 6.5+ million dollar contracts (all three were signed july of 2007)? Is there any chance that with this proposed 2 million dollar raise to the cap, that there will be a similar uptick in vast overpayment of free agents?
    .
    If so, it could really price someone like Marleau out of our league (if Drury can get 7 million, a more consistent scorer could garner that much easily). Perhaps thats part of why Kulemin’s agent is asking for closer to 3 million than 2 million. Worth a thought.

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  • Cameron

    @ Michael Stephens:
    -
    Yea, well it makes sense too. Barring any more economic disasters, the cap should continue to rise for the forseeable future. In a year or two, 3 million could very well be the new 2 million. That’s why I think Burke is just playing a little hard ball here. He’s probably willing to pay Kulemin 2.5, but doesn’t want to bend too quickly or easily. My guess is the two sides will find a decent halfway medium here.
    -
    Also, David Clarkson’s value is probably a little better than a 2nd rounder in 2011. If the rumors are true that he is not keen on resigning in New Jersey, then he’s basically hoping for an offer sheet. The highest anyone is going to offer is about 3 million, which would only return Jersey a 2nd round pick. I doubt very much that Lou would match an offer that high, as he does not overpay players (see Parise making 3.125), which means Clarkson’s value is a 2nd rounder in 2011 (the proposed compensation price). However, I’m sure Lou would like to get some useful bodies in return, depth, and a prospect that’s further along than said 2nd rounder which won’t be drafted for another year.
    -
    To NJD: J.Mitchell, Hayes, 2nd in 2011, 5th in 2010 (njd)
    To TOR: Clarkson, 2nd in 2010 (atl – 38th overall)
    -
    Mitchell can join their lineup immediately, while Hayes is 3 years closer to the NHL than the 2nd they would have got in next year’s draft. Then we trade up for this year’s pick. These are the kinds of deals that go down for players like Clarkson. I really doubt, and hope that Burke doesn’t use Kaberle to acquire a Clarkson.

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  • Schenn

    @ Cameron:
    How much do you propose Clarkson would make on his next contract after he was acquired by Toronto??
    If it’s anything close to $3.0 million, do you not think it’d be alot better to just offer-sheet him and keep J. Mitchell, Hayes and NJ’s 5th rounder?
    .
    Basically Clarkson can be had for a 2nd in 2011, so therefore you’re giving up MItchell, Hayes and their 5th rounder to get the 38th overall pick in this years draft.
    Seems like a bit of an overpayment to get a second round pick this year, rather than next year. Although if Kabanov is still around when the 38th overall pick comes up, it might just be worth it.

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  • Cameron

    @ Schenn
    -
    That’s actually exactly my thinking – Clarkson + Kabanov makes it worth it. I think Clarkson will sign for less than 2.5 million, or around there maybe. So saving the extra 500K in space is worth throwing in the 5th rounder for me. And we know Burke would prefer to overpay and do his own contract that actually hand out an offer sheet.
    -

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