If I am Vegas and i am looking at Kulak VS such enticing options as Alex Chiasson, Troy Brouwer, Matt Stajan, Hunter Shinkaruk, Freddie Hamilton, Lance Bouma and Emile Poirier I ask myself this:
Which Flames player could actually be an NHL Golden Knight in three years?
Well that eliminates pending UFA Stajan who also doesn't fit age-wise.
Shinkaruk is more likely to be in Sweden than the NHL.
Brouwer may not even be an NHLer right now and is an awful contract to take on without incentive.
Bouma...nuff said.
Chiasson's ceiling is a 4th liner who can step onto 3rd line and not embarass himself.
Familton is basically a Chiasson that can't seem to get into a darn hockey game.
Poirier has huge red flags of his own although there is definitely something there that could be honed in 3 years.
Brett Kulak is on a very normal and steady track to be a top four defenseman in 3 years. No red flags, other a low NHL on-ice shooting percentage. Even if he maxes out as the 5 he already is he could be flipped tomorrow to someone that likes him.