Important development : Brett Kulak to return to the Montreal Canadiens?
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Jeff Drouin
July 13, 2022 (9:19)
With the free-agent market set to open in the next few hours, Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton are aware that the Habs' defensive line will be very young next season, with the exception of Joel Edmundson, David Savard and Chris Wideman.
As you can see, Jeff Petry's name is not included because he is probably on his way out and the latest rumors had him linked to the Carolina Hurricanes.
However, as Max Tuman of Danslescoulisses.com reports, we could very well see the return of a certain Brett Kulak to Montreal next year.
In his column published on the RDS website, journalist François Gagnon suggested that Kent Hughes could bring back the defenseman he himself traded to the Edmonton Oilers at the trade deadline.
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Gagnon points to the fact that the Habs organization cannot afford to hire a top free agent due to salary cap constraints. However, the return of a good veteran like Kulak could be a good thing for the Habs, plus the defenseman was very happy in Montreal.
"Kulak was playing good hockey when he was traded to the Oilers at the trade deadline. He's a decent defenseman. The kind of back the Habs need to smooth the transition from the brigade resting on Shea Weber and Petry to the one that will soon rest on Kaiden Guhle, Jordan Harris, Justin Barron and the likes of Corey Schueneman."
Kulak was paid $1.85 million in 2021-2022, and while a salary increase is expected in his case, Hughes can certainly afford a defenseman of his caliber.
Kulak was traded to the Oilers last March in return for a second-round pick this year, which became Lane Hutson by the way, a seventh-round pick in 2024 as well as defenseman William Lagesson.
If Kent Hughes was ever able to work out a deal with his former defenseman, you could say that the trade to the Oilers was a stroke of genius, especially if the young Hutson can ever reach his full potential.
**Update: Pierre LeBrun just confirmed that the Habs will offer Kulak a contract tomorrow, as will a few other teams.
Previously on HabsFanatics
| POLL |
13 JUILLET | 168 ANSWERS Important development : Brett Kulak to return to the Montreal Canadiens? Would you like to see Brett Kulak back in a Habs uniform? |
| Yes | 126 | 75 % |
| No | 42 | 25 % |
| LIST OF POLLS |
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