It’s not often that an NHL defenceman has a breakout year at the age of 30, but early returns indicate that may be the case with Edmonton Oilers veteran Brett Kulak.
The Stony Plain native has made a career of being a responsible defensive defenceman whose career high in goals has never surpassed six in a single season. Yet, just 16 games into the new season, Kulak has found a way to pot four goals, potentially putting him in a position to shatter his career high.
So, what’s changed for the veteran? Daily Hive decided to ask him that question after yesterday morning’s practice at Rogers Place.
“I don’t know, best start of my career. Didn’t change too much in the offseason really, just happy to see them go in,” Kulak said with a smile. “Getting more opportunity and more ice time and that always helps too.”
“We’ve got a few new faces & it’s hard joining a new team… We’re trying to bring them in & everyone find their way. It does take time, but I think we’ve been doing a pretty good job.”
Brett Kulak on the #Oilers defence adjusting. @Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/oMbDAttbsw
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) November 13, 2024
The improved play from Kulak has not been lost of the Oilers coaching staff. Head coach Kris Knoblauch has been using Kulak on the team’s second pair alongside Darnell Nurse at times during games, which involves flipping the veteran over to the right side of the ice.
That is sure to be a difficult task to ask a left-handed defender, but he says it’s been smooth sailing so far.
“This is the most I’ve played on the right in my career for sure,” Kulak said. “In the last 10 games, I’ve spent a little time on each side, but it’s been good. We got good players and playing with Ty [Emberson] and [Darnell Nurse], they’re both good so it’s fun playing with different guys.
“Anyway you can get out there as much as possible is the better, so the ice time’s been good.”
At the moment, Kulak is scoring at a 21-goal pace over an 82-game season, which would rank as the seventh-highest-scoring season by an Oilers defenceman. Now, that is probably not where Kulak will end up by season’s end, but the fact that he has set that pace at all is an encouraging sign.
Knoblauch also had more words about Kulak’s hot start to the season after Wednesday’s practice.
“We’re needing him, we’re using him more, and he’s been playing well,” said Knoblauch. “He’s looking a little more like Bobby Orr, scoring four goals in 16 games, we’ll see how long that lasts.
“We’re not expecting him to score 20 or 25 this year, but we do expect him to play a good all-around game.”
“When you need him he’ll step up. We’re needing him, we’re using him more & he’s been playing well.”
Coach Knoblauch on #Oilers defenceman Brett Kulak’s game this season. @Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/wcR8UcuZ3M
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) November 13, 2024
It does feel like the tide is starting to turn after yet another slow start to the season for the Oilers. With Kulak playing the best hockey of his career, he’ll remain a very important piece of this team no matter where he plays in the lineup.
We’ll see if he can keep up the “Bobby Orr”-esque play up for a little while longer.