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Brett Kulak Re-Signs With Oilers, Inks 4-Year Extension

Brett Kulak will come back to the Edmonton Oilers on a four-year contract worth $2.75 million per season.

It appeared the Oilers were on the verge of losing defenseman Brett Kulak. The Oilers wanted to keep him around but were hesitant to meet him on his ask of four years and between $2.5 and $3 million per season. Kulak decided he would test the free agent market, did so and ultimately came back to the Oilers on a four-year contract worth $2.75 million per season.

The Oilers badly needed to sign a defenseman for their left side. After losing Duncan Keith to retirement, the team was in need of someone who could play a top-four role at times, potentially slotting down to the third pairing if Edmonton could find another defenseman via trade or free agency as well. Kulak fit extremely well after he came to the Oilers in a trade deadline deal from the Montreal Canadiens. It was speculated that a number of teams, including the Canadiens would kick tires on him in free agency. Ultimately, the fit was better and the deal came together in Edmonton.

Related: Jack Campbell Signs 5-Year Deal With the Edmonton Oilers

It’s not clear why the Oilers were hesitant to sign a deal like this. By most accounts, the $2.75 million is a fair price for the value he brings. He’s Edmonton’s best zone entry defender, and his metrics against elite competition suggest that he could be a reliable second-pair blueliner. His speciality is killing plays even before anything can happen denying entries at a great rate. Yes, he’s not played that role on a regular basis throughout his career and it might be asking a bit much for him to slot up if someone like Darnell Nurse gets hurt, but the Oilers have more time and bit more cap space to figure that out.

This is a smart bit of business by the Oilers. Kulak isn’t overly physical, but he is very good defensive defenseman and a local player who gets to stay with family and friends.

Next: Canucks Sign Forward Ilya Mikheyev to 4-Year Deal

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  1. Pingback: Oilers Know Evander Kane Can Do the Job: Question Is, Will He?

  2. Pingback: Oilers Know Evander Kane Can Do the Job: Question Is, Will He? – Hockey 1 on 1

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