Brett Kulak just landed with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and he might already be on borrowed time.
After the Tristan Jarry deal brought Kulak over from the Edmonton Oilers, Elliotte Friedman floated the idea that Pittsburgh could treat him like a “flip” candidate. This changes the entire complexion of the trade. If you think Kyle Dubas acquired Kulak solely to shore up the third pair for a mediocre season, you aren’t paying attention to the long game. This is classic asset management: buy low on a distressed asset, rehabilitate the value, and sell high to a desperate contender.
Why Kyle Dubas Sees Value Where Others See Struggle
On the surface, Kulak’s numbers this season are ugly. Zero goals, a -7 rating, and dwindling ice time in Edmonton paint a picture of a defender in decline. But if you dig deeper, the “expert” eye sees something else. The Oilers’ goaltending had a dismal .861 save percentage while Kulak was on the ice. That screams bad luck, not necessarily bad defense.
Dubas knows that NHL GMs have short memories but long checklists. When the NHL trade deadline hits, teams don’t look at a slump in December; they look at playoff pedigree. And that is where Kulak shines.
During the Oilers’ run to the Finals, Kulak transformed from a depth piece to a minute-munching reliable defender, averaging over 23 minutes a game. He has 75 playoff games under his belt with a +16 rating since 2022. That is the commodity contenders overpay for.
If Kulak can stabilize his game in Pittsburgh—free from the pressure cooker of Edmonton—he becomes a prime trade chip. If the Penguins are in the race, he helps them win. If they aren’t, Dubas flips him for a pick better than what he “paid” to get him. It’s a low-risk, high-reward gamble that gives the Penguins options.
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The post Why The Pittsburgh Penguins Might Betray Brett Kulak (For the Better) appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
