Montreal Canadiens: If there’s a time to trade Brett Kulak, it would be now

The Montreal Canadiens are loaded at left-defence, and with the playoffs showing the impact of Brett Kulak, it may be the time to trade him.

The playoffs provide many good things for the NHL (unless you’re eliminated). The Montreal Canadiens, for example, saw a number of their players step up to the plate, including surprise performances from Brett Kulak. Fans watch their teams excel in high-intensity competition while other teams take the opportunity to scout those they wish of bringing in to their organization via free agency or a trade. Ironically, there is a lot of bad that comes with the scouting aspect of playoff hockey.

How many times have teams committed to players over a good playoff run? It happens all the time, and although there are countless examples of when that optimism goes south, it hasn’t deterred general managers from doing so. But the Habs can use this to their advantage.

After acquiring Joel Edmundson and signing him to a four-year deal worth $3.5 million per, the left side of Montreal’s defence is as jam-packed as ever. Not only do you have Ben Chiarot, but there seems to be an expectation of Alexander Romanov making the team. Additionally, Kulak and Victor Mete are kicking around as well.

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Edmundson does leave the door open for Romanov to play in the AHL if he’s not ready for the NHL yet, but what if there isn’t an AHL? The minor league has it’s target date with nothing confound in place for a 2020-21 season. Even the NHL may see the next season pushed back, moving from the initial date of early December to late December and perhaps even January.

The major fear is the minors not being able to afford running without fans in attendance. Perhaps that changes and 20% of the arena’s capacity will be allowed in, but that’s only a theory at this point.

Let’s run under the assumption that Romanov is ready locking up all-three spots on the left. Even if Mete stays and is played on the right, there is no room for Kulak. I’ve seen some say the Montreal Canadiens can shore their depth by keeping Kulak as a seventh defenceman to play in case of injury; however, I think that would be a mistake asset-wise.

The Habs giving up a pick to get an early chance at Edmundson proves they’re not confident in Kulak’s ability to be an every-day NHL player in the top-four. Keep in mind, he was very steady with Jeff Petry this season, and he pushed his game further in the playoffs with some stellar defending against Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

Marc Bergevin may take Kulak’s performance for what it was, but other general managers who saw him playing well in a top-four role with a very team-friendly deal may see him as a possible asset. However, if the Montreal Canadiens do decide on trading Kulak, it has to be now.

Whatever Brett Kulak had that would possibly make him attractive to other teams is going to be flushed down the toilet next season when he’s in the press box or on the bottom pair. He will never have as much trade value as he has now, and whether he moves on his own or is packaged with something else, the Habs must take action on it.

If the situation was different, I would want the Montreal Canadiens to keep Kulak. But because of his predicted role change that will severely reduce his minutes and responsibilities as well as having an attractive contract, it makes the most sense to explore his value on the trade market.