Quote:
Originally Posted by Imported_Aussie
This is bang on - Kulak's agent overplayed his hand and Treliving called. Now the best case for Kulak is likely to force a trade, as a return to the AHL would stall his progress, and he has to look ahead to being best positioned at UFA to cash in.
RFA with arbitration rights is the first time a player has leverage, but it is not always the best time to play hardball. Kulak could keep growing and become a #4D. He could also stay a bottom pairing guy, or fade into a AHL tweener. His skill development is a factor, but so is his NHL game time, and this power play only serves to hurt his game time
EDIT: Of course he can also lower his demands before the verdict comes in, if he becomes more motivated to seal a deal that prioritizes playing time over $$
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I don't blame him for wanting to secure a one-way deal. He probably sees the young guys getting ready to pass him on the depth chart. He's likely no more than a depth defenseman in the NHL so this might be his only chance to pull in a guaranteed $800k-$900k salary. If he's passed this year, he very likely could be on a two-way deal for the rest of his hockey career so this potential one-way contract could mean a lot to his long-term financial outlook.
Prioritizing playing time over money is a major gamble, as that's assuming it's one or the other. If one of the young guys plays lights out in pre-season and they decide they want Prout as the 7th D, he'll be sent down regardless, with no playing time in the NHL or money.