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NHL insider reveals the significant asking price for Penguins' Brett Kulak at the deadline
Photo credit: NHL Trade Rumors
NHL insider Frank Seravalli has revealed the Penguins could get a lot more than anticipated for Brett Kulak, with at least a second-round pick or more.
Brett Kulak just landed in Pittsburgh, but he might not stick around for long. After the Tristan Jarry trade brought him over from Edmonton, Elliotte Friedman suggested the Penguins could treat Kulak as a "flip" candidate.
Kyle Dubas' thinking process when he acquired Brett Kulak
That changes the perspective: Kyle Dubas didn't acquire him just to fill out the third pair; this is strategic asset management. Buy low, stabilize, sell high.
Kulak's stats this season look rough: zero goals, a -8 rating, and limited ice time, but numbers don't tell the full story.
Edmonton's goaltending was a mess when he was on the ice, with a .861 save percentage. Kulak's struggles had more to do with circumstance than skill.
Why Brett Kulak could be very valuable to contending teams
He's a proven playoff performer. In Edmonton's run to the Finals, he averaged 23 minutes a game and became a reliable, trusted defender. Since 2022, he's played 75 playoff games with a +16 rating, exactly the kind of player contenders covet.
Frank Seravalli even weighed in, noting that Kulak could generate something meaningful at the deadline: he's thinking at least a second-round pick if Pittsburgh decides to flip him.
"I would think that Brett Kulak, a noted playoff performer, could generate something relatively significant at the deadline, you're thinking minimum 2nd round pick for Pittsburgh if you're gonna flip him."
- Frank Seravalli
- Frank Seravalli
For the Penguins, that's the beauty of Kulak. If they're in the playoff hunt, he strengthens the blue line. If not, he's a low-risk asset that can return solid value. Either way, Dubas wins.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 20 | 88 ANSWERS NHL insider reveals the significant asking price for Penguins' Brett Kulak at the deadline Could the Penguins manage to get a first-round pick in return for Brett Kulak? | ||
| Yes | 31 | 35.2 % |
| No | 57 | 64.8 % |
| List of polls | ||