Nikolai Kulemin is a 24 year old 6’ 1” 225lbs left winger from Russia who was drafted in the 2nd round (44th overall) pick in the 2006 NHL Draft. Kulemin is a product of Mettallurg Magnitogorsk team in the Russian Super League. Kulemin is one of the most elusive wingers that can dangle a puck right past you; along with his solid play at both ends of the ice. He has a unique skill set that will produce a lot of points in the NHL because it is evident that he has one of the most quickness releases of any pure scorer in the game. Kulemin can play either wing positions and his versatility is unheard of, something the Toronto Maple Leafs are proud to have. Kulemin’s flaw is that he is not the best player in front or behind the net. But overall Kulemin career potential is a solid two way player.
His best NHL season so far was his most recent season with the Maple Leafs in 2010/11, where Kulemin scored 30 goals and 27 assists for 57
points. Kulemin in my opinion has a ceiling around 70 points, but just as teammate Phil Kessel he’s going to need a great center man in order for him to reach that ceiling.
Kulemin has won a Gold medal at the World Junior Ice Hockey U18 Championships in 2004. Then two years later he won a silver medal at the World Junior Championships in Canada. Kulemin has also won a bronze medal at the 2007 worlds and silver at the 2010 World Championships in Germany. Another accomplishment for Kulemin was that he won the MVP award in the Russian Super League back in 2007.
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