Analyst Says Emergence of Oilers Defenceman May Change Trade Deadline Plans

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Liam McCormick
November 11, 2024 (8:14 PM)

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The Edmonton Oilers have been in the trade market for a right shot defenceman since before this season began, but recent changes from Knoblauch may change their primary target.

Knoblauch has begun to elevate Brett Kulak to the second pair with Darnell Nurse in the most important moments of games, and so far, the pair has produced actually decent results.

Kulak is being heralded as a player stepping up when the Oilers need it the most. If it keeps up, Oilers analyst Alan Mitchell believes the team could instead target a left shot defenceman for the third pair in a trade.

According to Mitchell, the pairing of Nurse and Kulak has produced the best results with the Oilers $9M defenceman since he was paired with Adam Larsson. The Oilers have been trying for years to find another partner for Nurse, and instead of mixing it up again with a trade, maybe that's a role for Brett Kulak.

»It might be best for management to check down from pursuing a second-pairing solution, looking instead for a lefty blue who can play third pairing with Emberson.»
- Alan Mitchell, the Athletic

That would give the Oilers a chance to instead improve their defence on the third pairing's left side. It would also be a significantly cheaper position to acquire, and the Oilers could then run three strong defence pairs all playoffs.

It's really incredible to see Kulak get his flowers lately, as many Oilers fans who have closely watched the team would tell you he's the perfect kind of defenceman - one that you rarely notice at all. If he can be part of the solution for Darnell Nurse's play, that will be found value for the Oilers.