Confirmed Trade: [CGY/MTL] Brett Kulak for Matt Taormina and Rinat Valiev

[Volica]

Does kulak have Kris Russell (pre Edmonton) potential? He was a tweeter with promise for what seemed like a decade before breaking out

Not really sure what he is.
He's too good for the AHL when he's down there. He's not a bad NHL while he's up here either. Good possession numbers, decent skaters, decent offensive instincts.

I really think his ceiling might be a bit lower... really think he looks similar to someone like David Schlemko in this league.

 

[Fig]

Does kulak have Kris Russell (pre Edmonton) potential? He was a tweeter with promise for what seemed like a decade before breaking out

Maybe, good skater not flashy which kind of sounds like Russell. Right now he's a safe third pairing D, which on any team is important when it comes to managing TOI of all pairings.

Depends on what "Kris Russell pre-Edmonton potential" means. If it means a 5/6 who can play #4 in a pinch, but you wouldn't want them as your #4 long term, sure, it's apt.

I don't disagree with King in the North's post above, but Russell and Kulak are different styles of players. On your roster, Kulak I think would be more similar to a guy like Schlemko.

 

[Kent Nilsson]

Personally, I don't like giving up Kulak.

Kulak played 71 games last year and is a good skater. Valimaki and Andersson clearly outplayed him but he is good depth. Wouldn't be surprised to see him on the Habs blue line this year.

I do think that it's not a bad idea to develop a good working relationship with Marc Bergevin though.

Oh yes Bergy mucho good business

 

[Just Linda]

Montreal trades a solid AHL defender and a borderline 7d

Calgary trades a bottom pairing d

Taormina makes the AHL team stronger which in turn may make development for young players go smoother while Valiev still provides a bit of body insurance should injuries require a call up.

Montreal gets a bottom pairing guy that isn’t a liability and balances their log jam a bit of almost capable defenders.

Both teams are slightly better because of this trade though Montreal likely gets a bit more benefit imo

 

[2020 Cup Champions]

Man, if any more exciting trades happen today I might just, like, blink once or twice more than I otherwise would have today.

 

[King In The North]

Man, if any more exciting trades happen today I might just, like, blink once or twice more than I otherwise would have today.

In terms of excitement, on par with the actual TDL right now

 

[Volica]

Montreal trades a solid AHL defender and a borderline 7d

Calgary trades a bottom pairing d

Taormina makes the AHL team stronger which in turn may make development for young players go smoother while Valiev still provides a bit of body insurance should injuries require a call up.

Montreal gets a bottom pairing guy that isn’t a liability and balances their log jam a bit of almost capable defenders.

Both teams are slightly better because of this trade though Montreal likely gets a bit more benefit imo

According to his interview with one of the ladies who covers the Flames, Treliving wanted to give him a chance to play in the NHL; he wasn't going to do that in Calgary with 7 guys already in front of him, two of them younger and more skilled.

Montreal got the best player in the deal, but again, we're talking about guys who won't be impact NHL players in their careers.

 

[jfhabs]

I wanted Bergevin to claim him off waivers. I'm happy I got him and clear 2 contracts. It might give Desrpés at chance at a come back and, hopefully, more playing time and a contract to Cale Fleury.
I would like them to give him a shot asap... unless a better defenseman ends on waiver, I can't see how he could be worse than Benn. Benn lost a step and he was already slow...

 

[Seb]

We take anyone that is better at hockey than Jordie Benn. Bring em on, the bar is set pretty low.

 

[tmurfin]

Not really sure what he is.
He's too good for the AHL when he's down there. He's not a bad NHL while he's up here either. Good possession numbers, decent skaters, decent offensive instincts.

I really think his ceiling might be a bit lower... really think he looks similar to someone like David Schlemko in this league.

Schlemko is a much better comparison, pretty vanilla player with flashes here and there. Russell had far better offensive skills.

 

[Devilsfan92]

General Tao!

 

[tfong]

My heart can't take this excitement.

 

[Volica]

Just listened to Freidman on with Calgary's local radio show.
Apparently this deal was almost done in July, where it was going to be a like a 3 for 3 type trade of prospects/tweeners.

Rychel/Shinkaruk were also part of this deal. Funny how things come together and how they take time.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Kulak will join Laval. So he'll have to wait for an injury to come out it seems.

 

[Booba]

Montreal trades a solid AHL defender and a borderline 7d

Calgary trades a bottom pairing d

Taormina makes the AHL team stronger which in turn may make development for young players go smoother while Valiev still provides a bit of body insurance should injuries require a call up.

Montreal gets a bottom pairing guy that isn’t a liability and balances their log jam a bit of almost capable defenders.

Both teams are slightly better because of this trade though Montreal likely gets a bit more benefit imo

It also clears some room (contract space and AHL roster spot) for Cale Fleury.

 

[Runner77]

Good trade for the Habs. Kulak is closest to the NHL out of all of them, Taormina is AHL at best. Valiev probably 7D ceiling

What's Kulak's skating like?

 

[tfong]

What's Kulak's skating like?

Hes fine. Just very average everything else. Just think an ideal 6/7th dman.

 

[McClelland]

Slightly better to be Kulak in Montreal 2018 then be Kulak 1930 in Ussr!

 

[Captain Mountain]

Just listened to Freidman on with Calgary's local radio show.
Apparently this deal was almost done in July, where it was going to be a like a 3 for 3 type trade of prospects/tweeners.

Rychel/Shinkaruk were also part of this deal. Funny how things come together and how they take time.

Also kind of funny that Rychel and Valiev weren't even Habs until the trade deadline (acquired with a 2nd for Plekanec). Montreal pretty much started shopping them immediately.

It would also be interesting to know if Calgary wanted them from Toronto.

 

[Draft Dynasty]

Last time we pick up someone for cheap from Clg it turn out pretty good for the Habs. Bergevin like to take cheap gamble. I like the deal.

 

[sharks9]

Clears a spot in Laval for Despres I guess, fine trade.

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

My two favourite teams:

As a Flames fan: hey this could be Paul Byron 2.0

As a Habs fan: hey this could be Paul Byron 2.0

Kulak is a solid third pair guy IMO. He will only get better with experience. Such a great skater.

 

[Mrb1p]

My two favourite teams:

As a Flames fan: hey this could be Paul Byron 2.0

As a Habs fan: hey this could be Paul Byron 2.0

Kulak is a solid third pair guy IMO. He will only get better with experience. Such a great skater.

He won't play in the NHL though

 

[habsterr]

good trade for both teams, Montreal likely gets the better deal.

 

[Pyrophorus]

Valiev should just go to the K at this point.