[News] Kulak arb numbers. Kulak asking for $1.15M. Flames countering with 2 way $650k

[neo45]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

You thought he played poorly? Please explain.

No offensive abilities at the NHL level and his defensive game is pretty forgettable. Doesn’t play physical or clear the crease at all, loses a decent amount of board battles. Strengths are obviously skating and he had some plays last year were he moved the puck well.


Just the definition of a replacement level player in my eyes.

[FlamesAddiction]

So if the arbitrator decides on a 2-way contract, do they also pick what the AHL salary would be?

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by neo45

No offensive abilities at the NHL level and his defensive game is pretty forgettable. Doesn’t play physical or clear the crease at all, loses a decent amount of board battles. Strengths are obviously skating and he had some plays last year were he moved the puck well.


Just the definition of a replacement level player in my eyes.

I think you're underrating him just a little in all those categories. He's pretty dependable defensively, isn't a pushover on the boards, and I think he's a very exceptional puck mover. I remember thinking at least once each game, "wow, that was a really smart play to get the puck out from deep in his own zone, and now the puck is at the other end of the ice." Kulak thinks the game pretty well, even if his physical skills are limited.

[David Struch]

Last year his contract was $650,000 NHL and $125,000 AHL.

[kyuss275]

I'd be happy with $850,000 one way for kulak. The 2way contract is a bit insulting

[getbak]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

So if the arbitrator decides on a 2-way contract, do they also pick what the AHL salary would be?

Yes.

[Locke]

Those look like the high and low extremes, I wouldnt doubt that the sticking point is 1 or 2 way.

By the way, what is the term that being looked at?

The Flames are lowballing him hard there, but I'm guessing thats because:

1. He pushed their hand and they want to set the bar low for Arbitration
2. He cleared waivers

[sureLoss]

Because it was the player who filed for arbitration, the team has the choice of a 1 or 2 year arbitration award

[Locke]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Because it was the player who filed for arbitration, the team has the choice of a 1 or 2 year arbitration award

Cool, thanks.

I'd prefer to keep Kulak, but as its plainly obvious that hes a bit of a temporary stopgap until others in the pipe take his place I'd prefer to keep him on the cheap.

The real question remains whether what we see is what we get or if people and management believe that Kulak has a few more gears to hit and can displace some other people on the roster for a spot.

I'm guessing the former rather than the latter is the organizations currently prevalent opinion.

[neo45]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

I think you're underrating him just a little in all those categories. He's pretty dependable defensively, isn't a pushover on the boards, and I think he's a very exceptional puck mover. I remember thinking at least once each game, "wow, that was a really smart play to get the puck out from deep in his own zone, and now the puck is at the other end of the ice." Kulak thinks the game pretty well, even if his physical skills are limited.

I think you’re just being pretty generous, especially with the “very exceptional” part. Guy just went unclaimed on waivers... he isn’t exceptional an exceptional puck mover.

He did make SOME nice plays with good stick handling and skating but his passing is just alright and that’s the most important part of puck moving. A lot of times him and Stone got hemmed in when they should have got the puck out.

[Jay Random]

Frankly, I don't consider $650k a lowball offer, bearing this in mind:

Originally Posted by Imported_Aussie

Or, to counter, this is a guy who has been an NHL regular for one season, playing 13 minutes a night. To put that in perspective: he is last in the NHL for usage among players who played more than 50 games.

In the circumstances, a lowball offer would have been not to qualify him, like Poirier and Shore.

[Fire]

Hopefully Kulak is the #7 guy this season. It would mean that a younger guy took the next step.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by foofighter15

IMO Kulak was the better half of the 3rd D pairing. Give him his money.

No, he wasn't.

[saXon]

(cal)

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Fire

Hopefully Kulak is the #7 guy this season. It would mean that a younger guy took the next step.

Kulak is only 24. He’s pretty young as far as defensemen go.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by neo45

I
He did make SOME nice plays with good stick handling and skating but his passing is just alright and that’s the most important part of puck moving. A lot of times him and Stone got hemmed in when they should have got the puck out.

Kulak was 71st-percentile for possession exits/60, which is better-than "alright", especially for a rookie.
Stone was 16th-percentile.

You seem to be attributing Stone's struggles to Kulak.

[Grimbl420]

How can Calgary's ask come in at $650,000? I thought RFA's making under a million had to be qualified at 5-10% over their last contract.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Grimbl420

How can Calgary's ask come in at $650,000? I thought RFA's making under a million had to be qualified at 5-10% over their last contract.

They do, but qualifying offers are not relevant in this type of salary arbitration

[Grimbl420]

^ thanks for the quick response sureLoss!

[Fire]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Kulak is only 24. He’s pretty young as far as defensemen go.

Sure, but there is no reason to believe he will be better than a 3rd pairing defenseman in the NHL. When you have Valimaki with 1st pairing potential plus Anderson and Kylington with 2nd pairing potential, I see Kulak being pushed out of the top 6 if not this season then almost definitely next season.