The Calgary Flames have placed defenseman Brett Kulak on waivers.
The 24-year-old blue liner appeared in 101 NHL games over the last four seasons and garnered mixed results.
On one hand, the Flames controlled better than 52% of the shot attempts with him on the ice and were expected to score 51.4% of the goals. Those are excellent numbers for a depth player.
On the other, they actually scored just 44.8% of the goals. Not good! Kulak also showcased little offensive ability recording only two goals and 11 points in his 101 contests.
I think he is a serviceable 3rd pairing guy but it's clear he's unlikely to ever be anything more than that.
My guess is Kulak's camp was pushing for more than GM Brad Treliving thought he was worth. Rather than cave, Treliving is playing hardball. He'll either walk away altogether or Kulak's camp will lose some leverage should he go unclaimed.
Kulak's arbitration hearing is scheduled for Monday. There is no way he is rewarded a total the Flames are eligible to walk away from. This could be a way of getting around that.
While I would still prefer keeping Kulak around on the cheap, I have no problem with the Flames turning the page if that's what it comes to.
The likes of Rasmus Andersson, Juuso Valimaki and Oliver Kylington aren't far off from becoming full-time NHLers, if at all. At least one of them will be able to hold their own in a depth role this fall.
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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