Former New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nikolay Kulemin hasn't played in the NHL since 2017-18, but he's trying out for the Ottawa Senators.
Former New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nikolay Kulemin hasn't played in the NHL since 2017-18, but he's trying out for the Ottawa Senators.
Forward Nikolay Kulemin is attempting an NHL comeback after six seasons away from North America.
The 38-year-old signed a professional tryout agreement with the Ottawa Senators, the team announced Thursday. Former Minnesota Wild and San Jose Sharks defenseman Calen Addison signed a PTO as well.
Kulemin spent 10 seasons in the NHL since the Toronto Maple Leafs drafted him 44th overall in 2006. He played for the Maple Leafs and New York Islanders, amassing 121 goals and 153 assists for 274 points in 669 career games. He also has seven points in 25 playoff games.
The 6-foot-1 winger from Magnitogorsk, Russia, has played the last six seasons in the KHL between Magnitogorsk and Ufa.
Last season, as an alternate captain with Ufa, Kulemin recorded 13 goals and 12 assists for 25 points in 46 games. He also had 28 points in 68 games the year prior and 27 points in 45 games in 2021-22.
Kulemin's best NHL season came in the 2010-11 campaign with the Toronto Maple Leafs. While Kulemin posted respectable numbers in his first two seasons – 31 points in 2008-09 and 36 points in 2009-10 – Kulemin broke out with 30 goals and 27 assists for 57 points in 82 games.
After that, however, Kulemin's point totals hovered in the 20s, except for a slight boost in his first season with the Islanders, where he had 31 points.
Addison, meanwhile, has played 152 NHL games over the last four seasons between the Wild and Sharks. The 24-year-old defenseman was drafted 53rd overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2018.
The right-shot blueliner from Brandon, Man., drew attention in 2022-23 when he had 26 assists and 29 points in 62 games for the Wild. He played 72 games last season but had 17 points.
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