Jiří Kulich

Jiří Kulich | C | Buffalo Sabres

Performance

Kulich is off to a quiet start in 2025-26, posting just 5 points in 12 games after a 24-point campaign in 62 games last season. His last three outings have been pointless, and his ice time has fluctuated noticeably — dropping from nearly 20 minutes against Columbus to just 11:19 against Washington — suggesting he's not firmly cemented in a consistent role. The bright spot was a two-point, plus-3 outing against Toronto on October 24, which showed the offensive capability that made him an intriguing prospect in the first place.

What People Are Saying

The bigger story surrounding Kulich this offseason was a serious health scare that dominated Czech sports media. Outlets including Sport.cz, iSport.cz, and Hokej.cz reported that Kulich required surgery to remove a blood clot, with the young forward admitting he questioned whether he would ever play hockey again. The good news, covered by Sabre Noise and RotoBaller, is that he has been cleared and returned to play. However, Hokej.cz also flagged that competition for roster spots in Buffalo has intensified, which adds a layer of pressure to his early-season inconsistency. Fan buzz is measured, with a stable but modest buzz score of 50/100 and no notable Reddit discussion this week.

Outlook

Kulich's underlying trajectory — a full recovery from a life-threatening health event plus incremental point production growth — keeps his long-term profile intact, but the roster competition in Buffalo means a slow start carries real consequences for his role and deployment.

**Watch in the next two weeks:** Whether his ice time stabilizes above 16 minutes per game, which would signal the coaching staff is ready to lean on him in a meaningful role.