Confirmed with Link: Kulak is back (4 years, $2.75M AAV)

[Spawn]

Which is probably why we were trying to trade Barrie in the Brown deal since 4M is steep given he's our 3D on that side. If we had Barrie/Kulak signed to 5M total for our bottom pair I don't think anyone would be mad at all. Broberg comes in for 750K and then that gives you 5M to find a partner for Bouchard and be around 25M on D.

We won't know until they go to Arbitration but I don't see it being that much. I expect we probably get Yamo signed for 3M and McLeod for 1.5. I can't see Pool getting 3M in arbitration and he might be traded by then or after. The good news about so many arbitration eligible forwards being cut loose is that if those guys are signed quickly enough you should have a lot of comparables to work off of.

There's so many forwards out there we should be able to get guys like Milano for 1-1.5M because there seems to be more dudes being cut than spots left. Lots of cheap depth. Foegele could also be dealt. There are some options and I think the thing that will hold us back from getting a good D in a trade isn't the cap but the fact that Holland refuses to trade 1st round picks. I think the cap can be made to work, that's why it was important to trade Kass and not buy him out.

I think with arbitration only RFA contracts are able to be used as comparables. Not deals signed as UFA. I tried finding any comparable that would put Pulju under 3 for an arbitration case and I was having a hard time. Admittedly I’m no expert.

 

[joestevens29]

I think with arbitration only RFA contracts are able to be used as comparables. Not deals signed as UFA. I tried finding any comparable that would put Pulju under 3 for an arbitration case and I was having a hard time. Admittedly I’m no expert.

I heard they don't look at fancy stats all that much more offensive production.

Should just sign Yamo first and use him as a comparable.

 

[Spawn]

Seems like one of us has possibly made some positive changes and have more positive reflections on the club now. Ymmv.

Its easy for me to have a different view on the specific club now. I used to be a cynic in this regard around the time the Oilers were purposely tanking for picks and Lowe was calling people 2nd tier fans. In the McDrai era and with added Kane, Hyman, its easier to have upbeat view here re: team.

But to me it just doesn't make sense for posters to say they are so disgusted they will never have anything to do with the team, never follow the club again, never post again, and state all that. By doing that didn't you toss in your fan card and carve yourself? We're you wrong? Over reacting? I don't think I've ever seen you acknowledge it. Clarify and I won't bring it up again.

Myself I've tried to mend fences on the Rep thing. Its all any of us can do after mistakes.

cheers

I said my piece in the Kane re-signing thread but I’ll say it again for you here.

I don’t like that they signed him him based on my views of him as a human being. I would not have brought him back. But I was unable to quit the Oilers for half a year successfully so I obviously won’t be able to for 4 more years.

I won’t bring up my opinions on Kane as a person anymore so long as there are is no new proof on past allegations or future allegations.

Looking at that signing purely from a hockey perspective it seems to obviously be a good deal.

I heard they don't look at fancy stats all that much more offensive production.

Should just sign Yamo first and use him as a comparable.

I imagine Yamamoto will be headed for arbitration as well too. Wasn’t he a relatively late signing on his last deal? Or am I making that up?

Honestly Yams and his 20 goals might be the harder bargain to drive.

 

[AM]

I said my piece in the Kane re-signing thread but I’ll say it again for you here.

I don’t like that they signed him him based on my views of him as a human being. I would not have brought him back. But I was unable to quit the Oilers for half a year successfully so I obviously won’t be able to for 4 more years.

I won’t bring up my opinions on Kane as a person anymore so long as there are is no new proof on past allegations or future allegations.

Looking at that signing purely from a hockey perspective it seems to obviously be a good deal.


I imagine Yamamoto will be headed for arbitration as well too. Wasn’t he a relatively late signing on his last deal? Or am I making that up?

Honestly Yams and his 20 goals might be the harder bargain to drive.

People deserve a chance to turn their lives around. Looking at all the players who weren’t extended, I expect yams might take that into account.

 

[TheNumber4]

Let’s all make sure to treat hIm as the hometown hero he is. Value contract for an in-his-prime defenceman. Not something this fanbase usually gets to enjoy. Thanks Kulak for making the right choice.

 

[syz]

Kulak is probably the best babysitter for Bouchard. Alternatively you could run Kulak-Ceci for a shutdown pairing, but that means either Bouchard or Barrie with Nurse.

 

[The Safe Play]

Thought this was worth the post.

Still think people are sleeping on Kulak as a slam dunk 2LD.

 

[5 14 6 1]

Thought this was worth the post.

Still think people are sleeping on Kulak as a slam dunk 2LD.

Nurse should improve as well once he can actually skate

 

[Aerchon]

Kulak is probably the best babysitter for Bouchard. Alternatively you could run Kulak-Ceci for a shutdown pairing, but that means either Bouchard or Barrie with Nurse.

Agreed.

As much as Nurse is overpaid Ceci and Kulak are both on very team friendly deals. Bouchard has met or exceeded expectations and his growth will determine how far the Oilers defense will impact the game.

Nurse Ceci is a strong pairing imo. For taking the hard minutes they do a good job keeping their heads above water. If/when Nurse takes further steps in his development that "could" be a great pairing. Potentially... Our GM has gambled a lot of money on that very thing. Outside of his obvious injury riddled finish Nurse was solid most the year.

Kulak Bouchard is potentially a very strong pairing as well. Personally I see Kulak as a significant upgrade over Keith. That in itself lends towards our top 4 being significantly better this year to last. Is Kulak a good anchor for a second pairing, no. Depending on Bouchard's development tho he doesn't need to be. I think Kulak is a solid #4 with a skill set that compliments Bouchard nicely. I am hopeful Bouchard can take a big step defensively/consistency this year but in reality for where he is at in his career it is unlikely. He may look old but he is year and years away from his peak.

Broberg/Niemelainen and Barrie is a very solid bottom pairing. I am not a Barrie fan but when Woodcroft came in his defensive game did a complete 180. He played so much better than I ever thought he could. If that trend continues Barrie being the bottom pairing anchor and PP specialist is a great role for him.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

Agreed.

As much as Nurse is overpaid Ceci and Kulak are both on very team friendly deals. Bouchard has met or exceeded expectations and his growth will determine how far the Oilers defense will impact the game.

Nurse Ceci is a strong pairing imo. For taking the hard minutes they do a good job keeping their heads above water. If/when Nurse takes further steps in his development that "could" be a great pairing. Potentially... Our GM has gambled a lot of money on that very thing. Outside of his obvious injury riddled finish Nurse was solid most the year.

Kulak Bouchard is potentially a very strong pairing as well. Personally I see Kulak as a significant upgrade over Keith. That in itself lends towards our top 4 being significantly better this year to last. Is Kulak a good anchor for a second pairing, no. Depending on Bouchard's development tho he doesn't need to be. I think Kulak is a solid #4 with a skill set that compliments Bouchard nicely. I am hopeful Bouchard can take a big step defensively/consistency this year but in reality for where he is at in his career it is unlikely. He may look old but he is year and years away from his peak.

Broberg/Niemelainen and Barrie is a very solid bottom pairing. I am not a Barrie fan but when Woodcroft came in his defensive game did a complete 180. He played so much better than I ever thought he could. If that trend continues Barrie being the bottom pairing anchor and PP specialist is a great role for him.

I think part of the reason Barrie also looked so good near the end and in the playoffs was because his partner was Kulak.

 

[fireantz]

I think part of the reason Barrie also looked so good near the end and in the playoffs was because his partner was Kulak.

100% of the reason. Can we play Broberg with Ceci and Bouchard with Nurse?

 

[Homesick]

Damn! We could have had Ethan Bear for 500k less

 

[Aerchon]

I think part of the reason Barrie also looked so good near the end and in the playoffs was because his partner was Kulak.

100% of the reason. Can we play Broberg with Ceci and Bouchard with Nurse?

While I am sure that is some of it. But. Kulak came later and Barrie's gap control went from football field to a short sprint.

It was as obvious as those things can get. Imo. He played so different. Night and day better.

 

[McCombo]

Thought this was worth the post.

Still think people are sleeping on Kulak as a slam dunk 2LD.

Came to post this very same thing. Defense is the biggest issue with Oilers. They allowed tons of goals and entry defense is a big reason. NHL players are so skilled that is you allow them easy entries they will make you pay at some point. Whether it comes from nice passing play, deflection or rebound it doesn't matter. Colorado was able to win SC with weak goaltending in playoffs because they just didn't allow that much possession entries. They took the puck away most of the time before other team had a scoring chance.

Really like Kulak deal. Very affordable price for really good defensive defensemen. And replacing Keith's minutes with Kulak should helo the team quite a lot. Keith was the exact opposite what Kulak is.

Nurse should be better at entry defense with his tools, but unfortunately he hasn't ever been above average entry defender. Long reach and good skating isn't enough if your positioning is bad. Hope it is still coachable, but we will see.

 

[phaedrusDH]

Also came to post those stats.
I am impressed with Kulak's Zone entry/exit stats. He was relatively good in his role, statistically speaking.

 

[T-Funk]

100% of the reason. Can we play Broberg with Ceci and Bouchard with Nurse?

I'd rather a more experienced babysitter for Nurse.

 

[Spawn]

Gross.

Too much for a bottom pairing dman (in money and term) but ensures the Oilers have no space for a genuine top 4 LHD.

Oilers backend is very likely going to be brutal unless Holland has some hidden miracle up his sleeve.

Yup

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

I liked this deal at first but it feels like another Kris Russell-esque deal. Kulak is another 5/6 D-man on a team already full of them.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Kulak is f***ing awful. Why did we even resign him? 2.something M question.

The guy cannot play 2nd pair D to save his life. His awareness of whats going on is just futile. Any talented players own him.

 

[Perfect_Drug]

Kulak playing pretty much like he was in Montreal.

He's a 5/6 at best.

Can fill in at times as a 2nd pairing, but not for extended periods.

 

[PostBradMalone]

WHO COULD HAVE PREDICTED THI...

Like the player but iffy on fit unless there's another move coming. He is much better than any other 3LD option out there, and he's not making so much that he needs to be top four. This has to be the template though:

Nurse-?
?-Ceci
Kulak-Bouchard

We're not going to win anything of note rolling out those four above 20+ minutes a game.

Oh wait.

 

[Oilhawks]

WHO COULD HAVE PREDICTED THI...



Oh wait.

No one cares, f*** off

 

[PostBradMalone]

No one cares, f*** off

Being a Holland bro isn’t so much fun these days is it?

 

[jukon]

You know, cuz rather than get an actual top 4 d-man. It's better to get a bottom pair D man and pay him to try to be one.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

You know, cuz rather than get an actual top 4 d-man. It's better to get a bottom pair D man and pay him to try to be one.

At least that didn't happen this time. You're not going to find a top 4 option for sub 3mil on the open market. Though that doesn't change the fact that asking Kulak to anchor the defence defensively behind the top pair is a bad idea.

It's annoying, as he's a pretty versatile, but asking him to play with Barrie (or Bouchard) on a pairing that will consistently draw difficult match-ups (due to a weak 3rd pairing) is a bridge too far.


Imo you can play him with Ceci on a 2nd pairing that can actually handle tougher match-ups behind Nurse's pair, or (ideally) you play him as the babysitter for one of Bouchard, Barrie, Niemo, or Broberg, on a sheltered pairing, and he shifts up when needed. But that'll also mean that you'll need to go out and grab a defender that can knock everyone down a peg on the totem pole of responsibility (Gavrikov plz?), or hope the light bulb suddenly turns on for Broberg and/or Niemo.