Head coach Kris Knoblauch is aware of what the Edmonton Oilers lost, since Brett Kulak has just been traded to the Colorado Avalanche.
Elliotte Friedman reported on Tuesday that the Pittsburgh Penguins have officially sent the dependable defenseman to Denver.
In exchange for the experienced player, Pittsburgh received Sam Girard and a valuable second-round draft pick to help with their rebuilding plans.
Throughout his NHL journey, Kulak has proven to be an excellent backup player who performs well under pressure.
He has played 636 professional games so far.
At 32 years old, he has a manageable salary cap hit of $2.75 million that lasts until the end of the 2025-26 season.
This salary made him very appealing to teams looking to improve.
Fans in Edmonton remember how general manager Stan Bowman had to include him in the major trade involving Tristan Jarry earlier this year.
The Oilers had to make the numbers work, but losing his strong play on defense is still a tough loss for the local team.
He was considered a reliable voice in the locker room.
A Proven Playoff Performer
The Avalanche are seriously gearing up for a strong run at the Stanley Cup.
They really need defensemen who can handle intense checking while smoothly moving the puck out of their zone.
When the tough games kick in during April, Kulak usually raises his game significantly.
He excels in those tough, low-scoring matches that can wear players out.
When he plays significant minutes in the third period, opposing teams’ best players often struggle to score.
He is very dependable.
Edmonton greatly benefited from his sharp passing during their own successful playoff runs.
He stays calm and collected with the puck.
Scoring 9 points in 56 games this season, his ability to stop the other team is much more important than his scoring. He understands exactly what he needs to do.
Moving Girard to another team brings big changes right away for how Colorado plays defense.
The mood in the locker room will change completely today as players deal with his sudden exit.
This big trade after the Olympics clearly shows that the trading scene is really starting to pick up across the league.
Other general managers are feeling the pressure.
We’ll find out if Bowman makes a big move in response before the March 6 deadline comes up.
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