Kulak given fresh start with trade to Montreal
Flames deal defenceman to Canadiens in exchange for two minor-leaguers
Brett Kulak spent his final few days with the Calgary Flames in limbo, unsure if he was factoring into their plans and unsure if he would stick around to start in Wednesday’s game.
But after being placed on waivers Sunday morning — and clearing for the second time this year — Flames general manager Brad Treliving made a decision on the 24-yearold defenceman and traded him to the Montreal Canadiens Monday afternoon.
“It was a little up in the air, the last 24 hours, being on waivers and bracing for any possibility that could happen,” said Kulak as he exited the Scotiabank Saddledome after saying goodbye to the pals he’s made during six years in the organization.
“It felt real when I went to Brad’s office (Monday) and he broke the trade and walked me through what was going on. Yeah, there’s a little bit of emotion and I’ve been with the organization for a long time. They brought me into pro hockey and into the NHL.
“Yeah, it’s a little weird feeling saying goodbye to the guys but I can’t wait for Montreal.”
In exchange for Kulak, the Flames received two American Hockey League defenders — Rinat Valiev, a 23-year-old former thirdround (68th overall) draft pick from Russia, and Matt Taormina, a 31-year-old who was the thirdhighest scoring defender in the AHL last season.
Both will report immediately to the Stockton Heat. Kulak, meanwhile, heads to the Laval Rocket and joins former Vancouver Giants pal Brendan Gallagher in the Canadiens organization.
“It’s the same kind of thing every year at this time,” said the Stony Plain, Alta., native who skated on Calgary’s third defensive pairing with Michael Stone for 71 games last season. “This year, I’m kind of in the mix. You see it happen before and watch how those guys handle it and listen to them and the things they say and the kind of stuff they ’re feeling. It’s just kind of real for me and now I’m going through that process.
“A week from now, I’ll still be playing hockey and nothing changes there. I’ll just be wearing a different jersey.”
Kulak, a veteran of 101 NHL contests, was essentially ousted by Juuso Valimaki, Calgary’s first-round selection in 2017, who came in and forced himself into the equation through this fall’s training camp.
That’s the way it goes in professional sports, especially in the National Hockey League in late September and early October.
And while Kulak made an impression a year ago at this time, cracking the roster and staying with the big club the entire season, it was a different story this year with youngsters like Valimaki and Rasmus Andersson knocking down the door.
“I thought (Valimaki) played in really well and that’s what they’re going with,” Kulak said. “Me and Brad talked about that and I understand that. He was really good to me and he doesn’t want me to sit and not play hockey. He knows I’m an NHL defenceman, wants me to get a good opportunity to play and prove myself more and keep developing as a player.”
There were reports of a potential deal involving Kulak and the Canadiens in the summer but it never came to fruition.
Kulak had arbitration rights in the off-season but after the two sides were unable to strike a deal, Treliving placed the blueliner on waivers — a move that was likely to prove the Flames’ case that Kulak’s value was not as high as his salary demands were. He cleared waivers and a few days later he was awarded a one-year, one-way salary of US$900,000 for the 2018-19 season.
In his 71 games last season, he averaged 12:59 of ice time per game, the least of all of the team’s defenders who played more than 70 games.
Kulak was adamant the ripple effect from his arbitration case was not the reason for Monday ’s trade. “I don’t think so,” he said. “Me and Brad talked through that whole thing and was like, ‘This is how the business works and that’s why things like that are in place for those situations.’ We talked and it’s just business and it’s nothing personal. We both get along really well and have a really good relationship. There’s nothing bad between us and the organization.
“It’s a new start. I’m excited.”
A week from now, I’ll still be playing hockey and nothing changes there. I’ll just be wearing a different jersey