Meet Nikolai Kulemin

photo by ESPN

This afternoon along with Grabovski the Islanders added winger Nikolai Kulemin on a 4 year deal worth 16.75 million dollars.

Last season, in 77 games for the Leafs Kulemin had 20 points.  Kulemin had been on the Leafs for his entire career to this point.  Kulemin had a career high in points in 2010/2011 with 57 including 30 goals.  Kulemin also brings a little bit of size at 6'1 225 to an otherwise smaller Islanders lineup as well as another physical, tough to play against player which the Islanders seem to look for.  

It would appear as though the Islanders hope that coming back to his former assistant coach who he had his best season under will help get the best out of him.  Acquiring Kulemin takes some pressures off Nelson, Strome, and Lee as they adjust to their second seasons in the NHL which is a very good thing and a welcomed change from this team.