[Signing] Flames Sign Ryan Culkin

[jg13]

The Flames have signed defenceman Ryan Culkin to a three year entry level contract! ~ http://cflam.es/1jA9LS7

[Hatter]

But... you're not Sureloss?

Good signing.

[nik-]

Let the mixing up of Kulak and Culkin in my head continue in perpetuity!

[skudr248]

Sweet!

[Miniac]

Nice.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by nik-

Let the mixing up of Kulak and Culkin in my head continue in perpetuity!

Yeah me too. You could make a game show out of "Ryan Culkin or Brett Kulak". One that I would lose

[mrdonkey]

Neat, I guess. Don't really know much about the kid or what his upside is. He was always just one of those guys I'd heard about from time to time. Anyone seen him play in person?

[devo22]

this signing was pretty much a no-brainer, but glad to see it done this early. Can't wait to see how both Kulak and Culkin develop. I remember Weisbrod saying after the draft that they basically flipped a coin between those two in round 4 and were happy when Culkin was still available in round 5. My gut tells me they could even form an effective pairing in Abbotsford.

Now Coda Gordon is the only draft pick left from the 2012 draft who needs to be signed until June.

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by nik-

Let the mixing up of Kulak and Culkin in my head continue in perpetuity!

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Yeah me too. You could make a game show out of "Ryan Culkin or Brett Kulak". One that I would lose

Same here. at least right now they play in different leagues but when the join Abby and Flames it will be confusing as heck.

[sevenarms]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

Neat, I guess. Don't really know much about the kid or what his upside is. He was always just one of those guys I'd heard about from time to time. Anyone seen him play in person?

I haven't seen him play but his PPG has increased nicely each season after being drafted. It's definitely a good sign at least.

[SuperMatt18]

So what does that make our AHL defense look like next year.

Wotherspoon-Sieloff
Culkin-Kulak
Ramage-Billings
Cundari

Could really use a real blue chip prospect on the back end.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

So what does that make our AHL defense look like next year.

Wotherspoon-Sieloff
Culkin-Kulak
Ramage-Billings
Cundari

Could really use a real blue chip prospect on the back end.

That is really confusing...

[Caged Great]

Culkin and kulak are virtually identical in how they play. The only separation is Kulak has a vastly superior slap shot. those two were not far off of Wotherspoon at the dev camp in July.

[devo22]

At the draft, Culkin was listed at 6'1 and 176 lbs ... now the QMJHL website has him at 6'2 and 201 lbs. Awesome!

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

So what does that make our AHL defense look like next year.

Wotherspoon-Sieloff
Culkin-Kulak
Ramage-Billings
Cundari

Could really use a real blue chip prospect on the back end.

doubt that Cundari will be back.

[dammage79]

Most excellent! This is the guy I am most excited about other than Wotherspoon. There's just something that screams top four d man to me about him.

[Fire]

I like his size and skill combination. Is he a hitter?

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

Same here. at least right now they play in different leagues but when the join Abby and Flames it will be confusing as heck.

I separate them by remembering that Kulak is a Russian name of tight fisted affluent farmers.

[devo22]

Ryan Culkin ‏@Hulkinator
So happy to have signed first NHL contract with @NHLFlames wanna thank my family friends and both @Voltiavie and @quebec_remparts #blessed

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by Fire

I like his size and skill combination. Is he a hitter?

Nope.

Offensive-minded defenceman, but respectable in his own zone.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Good job. Flames are short on blueline talent in the system and Culkin has potential to be another Brodie if he develops.