Final Grade: Kyle Cumiskey

by David Driscoll-Carignan on May 17, 2007 2:23 PM MDT in Final Grades 2007

Final Grade: INC

Midseason Grade: INC

Season Stats: 9 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 2 Pt, E, 8 Shots

Minutes: 121 total (10^th among 10 D), EV 11:31, PP 1:55, PK 0:01

Splits:

1^st Half: 3 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 Pt, +2, 4 shots

2^nd Half: 6 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 Pt, -2. 4 shots

Linemates: Sauer (9 GP)

Career: This season was Cumiskey's first taste of the NHL

Report: I couldn't get a good read on Leopold, but Cumiskey wasn't has hard...Moved extremely well with the puck... I thought he looked more comfortable and creative with the puck in the defensive zone...Offensively, he seemed hesitant, but I'm confident that he'll be just fine in that area...Seems like a good skater and a solid passer...Couldn't get a read on his shot...He had twice as many hits as Tyler Arnason, in just 73 less games...Looked decent on the powerplay (although no points)...Didn't embarrass himself defensively at all, although he might want to go for the simpler (read: safer) play more often.

Fast Fact: Cumiskey's first NHL goal came against Manny Fernandez in Minnesota on January 6^th.

2007-2007 Salary: $475,000

2007-2008 Status: $513,000

Outlook: I really liked what I saw from Cumiskey in his short (9 game) stint. Obviously, the comparison to John-Michael Liles is hard to avoid – they both are listed as the same size, and have similar skill sets. I have a hard time picturing 2 5'10" offensive defensemen on the same roster for any extended time, so I don't envision seeing the 20-year-old Cumiskey much on the parent club much next year. I do think he could develop into a nice offensive player down the road.

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Yes I agree! He was much easier to read in the small time that we saw him play. He really impressed me and I think it was sad when he went back to the minors. He had a very comfortable look, you could tell that he was confident in his desicions. Every game he kinda reminded me of Liles, cause he did jump into the offensive plays and really made some good plays! I would love to see him back next season over Leopold. Send him out and bring Cumiskey in!

by Kylie on May 17, 2007 6:53 PM MDT reply actions

Ha ha, remember the play where he went off on the powerplay? Clark passed it over, (not knowing he wasn’t there) and Skrats jumped in, took a shot, and Arnason tipped it in? Everyone thought that Skrats had scored his first goal of the season…. ahh man, that was funny. Silly Cumiskey. He’s definently got promise, I liked what I saw from him.

by Lamewad on May 17, 2007 9:51 PM MDT reply actions

I had forgotten that it was Cumiskey who skated off, but I definitely remembered the play. If not for Arnason’s tip, Skrastin’s would have scored on a one-timer where he was on the bench when the pass started!

by Draft Dodger on May 18, 2007 6:06 AM MDT reply actions

If they ever trade Liles, Cumiskey could easily step into his role (pending the rise of a healthy Leopold). If they don’t, Cumiskey would likely be a great bargaining chip in a future trade. He’s a kid with future value, one way or another.

by Dear Lord Stanley on May 18, 2007 9:16 AM MDT reply actions