Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - In 62 games with the Buffalo Sabres last season, forward Jiri Kulich netted 15 goals and 24 points. He played both wing and center, but what was impressive is how hard the 21-year-old worked to become a better two-way player.
Part of that is being hard to play against, which was a focus for Kulich this past summer.
"To have more physicality, be more tougher, some other stuff too so I see the game a little bit more. And on the ice, be a better playmaker too," said Kulich earlier this week after practice.
In three professional seasons in North America, Kulich has had more goals than assists. He has an elite shot, but he knows he needs to be a better playmaker to be a top centerman in the league.
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff was on Kulich last season to stop passing up great opportunities and use his elite shot more.
"Probably my shot is, I guess, my weapon, so I have to shoot more," Kulich acknowledged. "But if the guy’s there open, I need to make good decisions."
This year’s first-round pick Radim Mrtka is from Czechia, just like Kulich is. The 2022 first-round pick was excited after Buffalo made the pick this past June.
"It was exciting to me, and I was excited to meet him," Kulich said. "He’s in the same agency as me, and my agent (J.P. Barry) was a great guy."
When Kulich got to North America, 2019 sixth-round pick Lukas Rousek helped him adjust to the culture here. Mrtka told me that Kulich is doing the same for him, but the centerman was pretty humble about it.
"I’m trying my best, but I don’t think I help him enough," Kulich said. "I mean, I didn’t help him that much because he has to study too, because he’s still in high school. So he has to study a couple of hours at the hotel. I haven’t shown him anything around yet."
Kulich did say, though, he’s taken him to two restaurants, including Angeline’s.
The 21-year-old scored many of his goals after Ruff moved him from wing to his natural position of center. Kulich says he really hadn’t thought about it, but after pondering my question, he admitted that moving him to center improved his game.
"It helped me to feel more comfortable on the ice," Kulich said. "I played center all my life, so it was great to be back at center, but I had no problems playing wing. Center is more comfortable for me."
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