(Edmonton) Decidedly, we arrive at this time of the year when everyone makes, to quote Diane Tell, a new acquaintance.
After Kirby Dach’s return to Chicago, after Sean Monahan’s return to Calgary, it’s now Brett Kulak’s turn to reconnect with his old friends. The Oilers defender will face the Canadiens on Saturday night for the first time since the March 21 trade.
“There are a few new faces… The turnover is pretty crazy! »
Bearing? From his last game with CH, only one of the other five defenders will participate in Saturday’s game: Joel Edmundson. Jeff Petry went to Pittsburgh, Alexander Romanov to the Islanders, Chris Wideman will be left out and Corey Schueneman plays with the Rocket.
Kulak has found his niche with the Oilers. He’s playing his full 17 minutes per game, has added shorthandedness to his to-do list and has played in each of the Albertans’ first 24 games so far.
“He is coming in the best years of his career. He works hard, requires little maintenance and is well liked by his teammates and coaches,” Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft said after Saturday morning practice.
Kulak admitted he came close to returning to the Habs this summer. After all, it was in Montreal that he established himself as a permanent player in the NHL, in 2018-2019, to play 215 games with the CH.
Kulak was popular in Montreal, but when Kent Hughes received an offer that included a pick of 2e turn, he could hardly say no. This choice allowed the Canadian to draft the dynamic defender Lane Hutson.
Where the story of this transaction becomes interesting from today’s perspective is that the possibility of a trade, followed by a return to Montreal as a free agent, did not seem far-fetched as a scenario. “It was an option. We had several discussions this summer, it was in my last options, he admitted. I’ve had some great years, the team is going in the right direction and I think the successes will come faster than people think. »
Except that Kulak was pleased at the end of last season in Edmonton, because he comes from the region, but also because it fit well on the hockey side. “When I was traded here, I was given a very defined role and I knew what to expect. Being at home was the number one factor. Then I had a great playoff experience with Connor and Leon (McDavid and Draisaitl) and I think we have the potential to win. »
Kulak also has a seven-month-old baby. “My wife’s family is also from the area, so everything is close. If I had stayed in Montreal, the grandparents wouldn’t see the baby so often! »
Interesting comments in light of the current debate about Sean Monahan. As several fans suggested with Ilya Kovalchuk and Nate Thompson two years ago, why not trade Monahan as a rental player for the end of the season, and bring him back next summer as a free agent? The example of Kulak shows that this type of plan has its limits. Ditto for Thompson and Kovalchuk, moreover, for different reasons.
Guhle’s biggest challenge
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Kaiden Guhlé
Kaiden Guhle was entitled to his reunion on Friday.
It was here in Edmonton that he concluded his junior career with the Oil Kings. The team won the Western Junior League (WHL) championship with Guhle as the No. 1 defenseman.
“I saw the guys yesterday, the coaches, the trophy. I was able to relive memories of the past year,” said Guhle.
The first-year defenseman remains a trusted man for Martin St-Louis despite his inexperience, and it’s a safe bet the head coach will try to deploy him when possible to face McDavid, even if he hasn’t the last word for changes. In the last CH matches on the road, Guhle was most often faced with the trios of Elias Lindholm (Calgary), Max Domi (Chicago) and Boone Jenner (Columbus). All of the first trios.
“Everyone asks me what I will do when McDavid arrives. It will be a challenge, but it will be fun,” Guhle summed up.
The call of St. Louis
PHOTO DAVID BOILY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Rem Pitlick
Rem Pitlick will finally be able to return to training. Recalled late Wednesday evening, he was then in Utica. He stuffed himself more than four hours on the bus to return to Laval with the Rocket. He got home “around 4:30 a.m.” to take a nap and head back to the airport in hopes of getting to Calgary in time for Thursday’s game. Due to the delays, he arrived minutes before the Canadian-Flames duel, forcing St-Louis to employ defenseman Chris Wideman as 12e attacker.
This time, Pitlick will be able to participate in the meeting and hopes to take the opportunity to revive. Author of 26 points in 46 games last season, he has still not obtained a point in seven games this season, and it was he who was sacrificed when there was a surplus of attackers. The Habs submitted it to waivers, but no one claimed it.
Piutlick said he got a call from St. Louis the day he was offered to the other 31 teams. “Martin told me not to give up. It hasn’t been easy. I had to think about what I can be as a player. It means a lot when it comes from someone who has also been there. It was a long conversation which I really enjoyed. »
Modin’s advice
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Josh Anderson
Josh Anderson has been playing shorthanded for a few games and the man behind this new assignment isn’t who you think. This is… Fredrik Modin!
He and St. Louis played together in Tampa, and Modin went on to play for the Blue Jackets, in addition to working for the team after retirement. The two friends therefore had a bite to eat together last week in Columbus, during the visit of the Canadian. It was there that Modin reminded St. Louis that Anderson was an effective shorthanded player for the Blue Jackets.
“So I talked to Josh about it and he’s doing a damn good job.” We should have done this much earlier! St-Louis candidly admitted.
In short
- Brendan Gallagher will miss a second straight game with a lower body injury.
- Jake Allen will defend the Canadiens’ net for a third game in a row.
- Chris Wideman and Jordan Harris will be left out defenders, meaning Johnathan Kovacevic will return to the lineup.