The Toronto Maple Leafs are in the thick of trade season, and while the spotlight has been on big-ticket names like Rasmus Andersson and Dougie Hamilton, there might be a more under-the-radar option that makes a lot of sense-especially for a team strapped for cap space and assets. Enter Brett Kulak.
Yes, the Leafs are reportedly swinging big, but with limited flexibility, GM Brad Treliving may need to get creative. That’s where Kulak comes in-a potential buy-low target who could offer real value without forcing Toronto to mortgage the future.
Brett Kulak: The Quiet Fit for Toronto
Kulak, now with the Pittsburgh Penguins following the Stuart Skinner trade, isn’t a name that turns heads across the league. But he’s exactly the kind of player who makes a difference over the grind of a season.
He brings size (6’1”), mobility, and a calm, steady presence in the defensive zone. He’s not flashy, but he’s reliable, and for a Leafs team that’s struggled with consistency on the back end, that’s gold.
He’s also not afraid to get physical. Kulak may not be the heaviest hitter, but he doesn’t shy away from contact and will gladly throw his body in front of a shot. That kind of commitment is something Toronto’s blue line could use more of, especially come playoff time.
And while he’s known more for his defensive work, don’t sleep on his two-way game. Kulak has shown flashes of offensive upside-nothing game-breaking, but enough to keep opponents honest and help transition the puck out of the zone with control. That’s a key element for a Leafs team that wants to play fast and clean through the neutral zone.
Where Would He Slot In?
If Toronto were to bring in Kulak, it would likely bump Simon Benoit into a seventh defenseman role-a move that makes sense given Benoit’s up-and-down play this season. He’s still a serviceable depth piece, but Kulak offers a more stable, NHL-ready option on a nightly basis.
A potential defensive setup with Kulak in the mix could look something like this:
- Rielly - Carlo
- McCabe - Stecher
- Ekman-Larsson - Kulak
That’s a group with balance-offense and defense spread across all three pairings, and flexibility built in. Both Kulak and Troy Stecher are versatile enough to move around depending on matchups, which gives head coach Sheldon Keefe more options when the game tightens up.
Kulak also brings special teams value. He’s capable of logging minutes on both the penalty kill and the power play.
While he’s not replacing Morgan Rielly outright, he could spell him on the second unit or even take over for Oliver Ekman-Larsson if the Leafs want a different look. On the PK, he’d fit nicely alongside physical, stay-at-home types like Brandon Carlo or Jake McCabe.
The Value Play
Financially, Kulak lines up well with another name that’s been linked to Toronto-Luke Schenn. Both players carry similar cap hits and are pending free agents, but Kulak is four years younger and brings more speed to the table. For a Leafs team that’s trying to stay competitive now while keeping an eye on the future, that age gap matters.
And perhaps most importantly, Kulak won’t cost a fortune to acquire. A mid-level draft pick could be enough to get it done, and with Kyle Dubas now running the show in Pittsburgh, there’s a familiarity between front offices that could help grease the wheels.
Final Thoughts
While the Maple Leafs continue to be linked to higher-profile names, Brett Kulak might just be the kind of move that pays off in the margins. He’s not the headline-grabber, but he’s the type of player who helps you win playoff games-steady, physical, and quietly effective.
If Toronto can pull off a low-cost move for Kulak, it could end up being one of the savvier additions of the trade deadline.