Five Free Agents The Canadiens Could Target This Off-Season

Brett Kulak

There has been a lot of talk about the possibility of Ben Chiarot returning to Montreal this off-season, something Chairot has already stated he’d be open to, but I’d much rather see Brett Kulak return to Montreal next season. I am not shy about my love for Brett Kulak’s game, as I felt he was often underrated during his time here in Montreal.

Kulak is the perfect kind of defenseman for the team Kent Hughes is trying to build. He’s incredibly mobile and has great puck moving skills while still being reliable on the defensive end of the ice. He’s not necessarily going to blow you away with his play, but he plays such a subtle game that you often times don’t have to worry about him back there. He just makes plays, and he did that for all four years he was in Montreal.

Ben Chiarot on the other hand, isn’t what the Habs need on the blueline, in large part because Joel Edmundson and David Savard already play a similar style. Instead, the Habs need to find mobile, puck moving defensemen, and Kulak fits that mold. But if I were Ken Holland, the Oilers GM, I wouldn’t let Kulak go.

The 4th goal in this game vs the Oilers is just a perfect example of what Kulak brings, and maybe why Ken Holland wanted to trade for Kulak. He jumps up in the play, outwaits Mike Smith and gets the puck to the front of the net, which is a great way to create offense. A lesser player takes a weak shot from a bad angle, or maybe overthinks it and doesn’t even create a chance. Not Kulak.

The Canadiens already have a log jam at left defense though, which could make things tough to bring Kulak back. Romanov and Edmundson are holding down spots, and Jordan Harris and Kaiden Guhle are close to being NHL regulars too.

At just 28, I’d love Kulak back, especially because he will likely still be relatively cheap, and I think he could buy more time for some prospects in the process, allowing them to play in the AHL instead of the big show.