It seemed as though Nik Kulemin was still looking for answers as to what went wrong in Sochi, as his Russian team suffered a heartbreaking quarter-final loss to Finland.
“Everybody (was) a little nervous every game, players and coaches,” Kulemin said following his first practice back with the Maple Leafs. “A lot of pressure on us and we just couldn’t handle it, probably.”
Losing at the Olympics can’t be easy for any athlete. Losing in your home country at the Olympics is a once in a lifetime experience that has turned into a bad memory. For Kulemin, it will last a long time. But he insists his mindset has shifted to the task at hand.
“I try to focus on what’s here now. The year isn’t finished yet (and I want to) try to focus on the season.”
That itself could prove to be a distraction. With the NHL trade deadline looming, there is plenty of speculation surrounding Kulemin. He’s in the final year of his existing contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent. While a move is tempting for the Leafs, who are close having a fully healthy lineup for the first time all season, it’s likely Kulemin will stay with the Maple Leafs for the remainder of the season.
But the question will always linger as to what exactly went wrong with that Russian team.
“I think everybody tried hard and gave everything we have and something went wrong,” Kulemin said. “Playing an extra game, we can get real tired.”
Russia’s emotional 4-3 shootout loss to the Americans in round-robin action meant an extra game in the preliminary round. All four teams that advanced to the semifinals were teams that earned an automatic entry into the quarter-finals.
Every decision by the Russian hockey team has been heavily scrutinized in the wake of their disappointing exit. From ice-time for certain players to KHL versus NHL involvement, the criticism has been heavy. But it’s over now and Kulemin is trying to push forward.
At Leafs practice on Saturday, Kulemin was on a line with Dave Bolland and Mason Raymond. Bolland appears to be healthy enough to return to the lineup on Thursday when the Leafs resume their 22-game run towards the playoffs. The roster currently sits at 24 (21 active and three injured) with Peter Holland sent down to the Marlies. One less centre suggests an imminent return for Bolland, who’s been out of the lineup since Nov. 2 with an ankle injury.
Leafs lines at Saturday Practice:
(Bodie)-Bozak-(Smith)
Lupul-Kadri-Clarkson
Raymond-Bolland-Kulemin
Ashton-McClement-Orr-McLaren-Holland
Leafs Defence
Gunnarsson-Phaneuf
Gleason-Franson
Gardiner-Rielly
Ranger
Leafs Goalies
Bernier
Reimer
