Falling Leaf? Leafs GM Brian Burke Says Kulemin's Asking Price Too High

Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brian Burke is a businessman.

However, he is certainly not kidding around when he states that the progress of signing forward Nikolai Kulemin is not looking so good right now.

On Thursday afternoon, the same day that Brian Burke signed Toronto Maple Leafs defensive prospect Korbinian Holzer of the DEL to a two-year entry level contract, he also stated that there is no progress concerning the contract agreement between him and Nikolai Kulemin.

Brian Burke was asked on Thursday about the contract talks and he replied with this; “What he is asking for is not what we are prepared to pay.”

It doesn't really get much more straightforward then that.

There are rumors circulating that the Russian Winger is currently asking for three or more million dollars per year.

“I think his agent is a good guy. But we will grind on and see what happens,” Burke replied when asked about the contract controversy.

Nikolai Kulemin is currently 23 years old and registered a career high 36 points in 78 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2009-10 season.

However, Kulemin was one of, if not the most improved player on the Toronto Maple Leafs team.

Right now the contract talks seem to be at a freeze point and by the looks of it, they are not making any progress.

Comment and post your thoughts on whether or not Nikolai Kulemin is asking for too much!?