The Edmonton Oilers have been reportedly out there for a blue line improve for the reason that season began. Nothing has come throughout GM Stan Bowman’s desk that’s price taking a severe take a look at, however that doesn’t imply he isn’t wanting, seemingly preferring the affected person strategy to being rushed into a nasty commerce. Fortuitously for Bowman, the outcomes of pairing Darnell Nurse and Brett Kulak collectively present him extra time to strategize.
Finn Marceau of The Hockey News factors out that Nurse and Kulak are main the NHL’s defenseman pairings in xGoals% at 65.7% (defensemen who’ve performed not less than 90 minutes collectively). They’re sitting on the high, tied with Jonas Brodin and Jared Spurgeon of the Minnesota Wild. Whereas this stat doesn’t imply the duo of Kulak and Nurse is all-world and a everlasting answer to the Oilers’ defensive points, it’s a great signal.
What this does imply is that, in a pinch, Kulak can play up on the second pair with out problem. There have been doubts that he could possibly be a top-four defenseman, having actually by no means been requested to log that many minutes. However, he’s been a gamer, meshing effectively with Nurse, although each are left-handed shooters.
Ideally, the Oilers will need a authentic righty on that pairing or a confirmed commodity who has no problem enjoying his off facet. Kulak is giving the Oilers a glimpse that he’s that man, but it surely’s nonetheless a danger.
Kulak Has Confirmed to Be a Lifesaver for the Oilers
Kulak is on tempo for a profession 12 months. He’s already notched 5 targets and his career-best is six. He’s enjoying extra minutes than he’s ever performed and he’s making himself indispensable along with his easy skating and hockey smarts. He is aware of when to leap into the play and he is aware of when to not. Even higher, he’s serving to Nurse play like Nurse can.
Because of Kulak, Bowman doesn’t should press the panic button. That’s necessary as a result of the GM has already acknowledged participant brokers have reached out saying their gamers would like to play for the Oilers, assuming they begin shopping for and groups make pending UFAs accessible.
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