Buffalo prospect Jiri Kulich takes a break during Wednesday’s practice in LECOM Harborcenter. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich focused on becoming grittier, stronger presence

BUFFALO – Over his first two seasons, Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich morphed from a one-dimensional scorer who relied on his blistering shot into a more mature center.

Through some tough love, former Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert helped Kulich, 20, realize he needed to evolve and develop a more versatile style.

So when the Czech endured a two-month scoring slump last season, he used the time to hone his “B game” and contribute in other ways.

“That was a great experience to improve on the other things, especially D-zone and net-front,” Kulich said Wednesday following the first session of rookie camp in LECOM Harborcenter. “Those things help my team to win, not just scoring goals but the other things.”

Those other things – details, physicality and being a trusted defensive presence – will likely help Kulich, the 28th overall pick in 2022, earn a spot with the Sabres someday.

Having registered 51 goals over his first two seasons, including 27 last year, he ranks among the AHL’s most natural scorers. Still, the offensive side of his game, as his five goalless outings in the Calder Cup Playoffs illustrate, needs more work.

Kulich’s disappointing postseason performance taught him he must utilize his 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame and pay a price to score.

“Don’t be scared to go (to the) net-front,” he said.

That’s why he focused on becoming “more physical” during the offseason.

“With my strength coach, we had probably the best workout this summer,” said Kulich, who spent some time training in Dubai and Switzerland. “I was working on the net-front and those things because I thought I’m just a shooter from the one-T spot. I need to improve on these things. I think I’ve improved a lot from summer to now.”

Kulich can start showcasing his improvement Friday, when the Sabres open the Prospects Challenge against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

As a seasoned prospect with 189 games of pro experience between Czechia and North America, including his first NHL appearance last season, he should stand out during the rookie tournament.

When training camp begins next week, he will likely receive a long look from the Sabres, who hired a new coach, Lindy Ruff, in April.

“I heard he’s pretty hard, but that’s what we need, to be harder and more physicality,” Kulich said.

He said camp is “going to be like a little war.”

“Yeah, I’m ready for that,” he said.

The Sabres essentially have a full roster, meaning unless some forwards get injured during camp, Kulich will likely begin the season in Rochester.

In the meantime, he wants to impress his new coaches. After the Sabres promoted Appert to Ruff’s staff in May, they hired Mike Leone, who will run the bench during the Prospects Challenge, to coach the Amerks.

Kulich, of course, is grateful for having Appert as his coach for two seasons.

“He helped me so much to be that player that I am now,” he said. “Thanks to him. If he wasn’t that hard to me, I’m not really the player that I am now. That was the thing when I came to North America, so I thought I could only shoot and I didn’t care about the other things.”

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