Trade Watch: Brett Kulak Drawing Interest as Penguins Consider Deadline Moves
As the Pittsburgh Penguins navigate a season that’s looking more like a retool than a full-on playoff push, veteran defenseman Brett Kulak has emerged as a name to watch on the trade front. The 30-year-old blueliner, a pending unrestricted free agent, brings a steady, reliable game that could appeal to several contenders looking to shore up their depth on the back end.
Kulak isn’t a flashy name, but he’s the kind of player who becomes increasingly valuable as the postseason approaches. He’s mobile, positionally sound, and capable of logging minutes on both sides of the ice.
Add in his playoff experience and penalty-kill reliability, and you’ve got a defenseman who could quietly be a difference-maker for the right team. Let’s take a look at three clubs that could be strong fits if the Penguins decide to move him ahead of the deadline.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Depth and Stability for the Stretch Run
The Leafs have been searching for defensive consistency all season, and Kulak could be a smart, cost-effective addition to help stabilize their bottom pairing. Toronto’s blue line has been hit by injuries and inconsistency, and while their top four is mostly set, there’s room to improve the third pair-especially with an eye toward tough playoff matchups.
Kulak’s ability to kill penalties and play a responsible, low-risk game could be just what Toronto needs. He wouldn’t be asked to do too much, but he’d bring a calming presence to a group that’s still looking to prove it can win in the postseason. For a team with championship aspirations, adding a proven, versatile veteran like Kulak could be a quietly savvy move.
Detroit Red Wings: A Playoff Push with a Veteran Boost
Detroit is right in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race, and while their young core continues to impress, adding a veteran with Kulak’s profile could help solidify their blue line for the stretch run. He’s the kind of player who can eat tough minutes without hurting you, and his ability to play either side gives the Red Wings some lineup flexibility.
For a team trying to end a playoff drought, that kind of reliability matters. Kulak won’t wow you with offensive numbers, but he’s a steady hand who knows how to handle the grind of meaningful games in March and April. If Detroit is serious about making the leap this season, adding a player like Kulak could be a smart step forward.
Colorado Avalanche: Reinforcing a Contender’s Blue Line
The Avalanche have been rolling this season, and with a record like theirs, they’re clearly in win-now mode. While their top four on defense is one of the best in the league, depth is always key come playoff time-and that’s where Kulak could fit in.
He wouldn’t need to play big minutes in Colorado, but he’d offer the Avs another playoff-tested option on the third pair. His skating and defensive awareness would mesh well with the Avalanche’s fast-paced system, and he could be a valuable insurance policy if injuries strike late in the year.
Colorado knows what it takes to win in the postseason, and part of that is having dependable depth. Kulak checks that box, and his experience could make him a seamless fit in a locker room that’s built for a deep run.
What’s Next for Kulak and the Penguins?
With the Penguins looking to retool and Kulak on an expiring deal, it makes sense that his name is surfacing in trade conversations. He’s not the kind of player who’ll headline the deadline, but he’s exactly the type of addition that can quietly elevate a contender’s blue line.
Whether it’s Toronto, Detroit, Colorado, or another playoff hopeful, Kulak’s blend of experience, versatility, and steady play could make him one of the more underrated pickups of the trade season-if the Penguins decide to make that move.