[Trade] Kulak to the Habs for Rinat Valiev and Matt Taormina

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Canadiens Montréal @CanadiensMTL
The Canadiens acquire defenseman Brett Kulak from the Calgary Flames, in return for defensemen Matt Taormina and Rinat Valiev. Kulak will join the Laval Rocket.

I’ve been to Taormina on the island of Sicily. Lovely place. However, I know zip about the player.

[mennoknight]

Originally Posted by Scornfire

Taormina actually has really good AHL numbers

So did Tony Hrkac

[Itse]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Kristen Anderson
@KdotAnderson

Kulak on the trade/situation in Calgary/numbers game: “Valimaki came in and I thought he played in really well and that’s what they’re going with. Me and Brad talked about that and I understand that...

Kristen Anderson
@KdotAnderson
...He was really good to me and he doesn’t want me to sit and not play hockey. He knows I’m an NHL defenceman wants me to get a good opportunity to play and prove myself more and keep developing as a player.”

Warms the heart to hear things being handled with class all around.

(That wasn't sarcasm.)

[BigSmoke]

Valieve has potential. I saw him play a lot.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Scornfire

Taormina actually has really good AHL numbers

He's something like 35. I think he will be a big addition to Stockton as a guy who will be there all year, be really steady and put up points. I suppose he could be a disaster call-up.

[greentree]

Originally Posted by Beninho

Kulak was outplayed By Valimaki, Andersson, Kylington, and Prout. Glad he won’t be taking up a roster spot

100% agree.
I think he's better than he has shown lately, but not much.

[Ashes]

Good for Kulak, who knows.. a few years from now maybe he's wearing an "A" for the Habs and we can all talk about how Treleving only got 2 AHL defensemen for Byron AND Kulak

[David Struch]

This reminds me of the time Calgary acquired Yves Sarault & Craig Ferguson from the Montreal Canadiens.

[dustygoon]

There was a time several years ago that we would flip out at losing a player drafted and developed in-house with decent junior numbers in exchange for these types of players.

Now it’s “whatevs”.

[1qqaaz]

The Heat will have a pretty good roster from top to bottom.
And they're still a pretty young team. I hope they make it to the playoffs for a change.

[David Struch]

Matt Taormina is an upcoming UFA and 23 year old Rinat Valiev is an RFA at season's end.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by dustygoon

There was a time several years ago that we would flip out at losing a player drafted and developed in-house with decent junior numbers in exchange for these types of players.

Now it’s “whatevs”.

Not even whatevs, many are happy to see Kulak given a chance elsewhere.

Does indeed say a lot about improved depth in the organization.

[N26]

Dubé and Välimäki on the big club and Valiev added to the minors.

Clearly we need to re-vote the prospect list.

[sureLoss]

Friedman on 960 said that he heard that the Flames and Habs were working on a 3 for 3 trade this summer involving the same players.

Shinkaruk + Kulak + someone for Rychel+Valiev+Taormira

[Aleks]

/s

[getbak]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Friedman on 960 said that he heard that the Flames and Habs were working on a 3 for 3 trade this summer involving the same players.

Shinkaruk + Kulak + someone for Rychel+Valiev+Taormira

Oh man, are we going to be happy that Treliving was able to hold onto someone. Good ol' someone.

[Enoch Root]

Good to hear. Kulak got passed by Valimaki and Andersson, but that doesn't change the fact that he has been an NHLer for a year and a half. If there is a team that wants to give him an opportunity, then that is great. Sure, it would be nice to keep all of our depth, but you just can't.

Best of luck to him.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Otto-matic

I have a feeling Kulak wanted out. Knew his time was up here with Jusso and Rasmus leapfrogging him on the depth chart.

Hopefully he can carve out a career in Montreal. All the best.

I get that feeling too. It had to be tough for him to work his way up the way he did, do his time in the A and press box, finally earn a full-time gig on the bottom pair (and was pretty decent), only to be surpassed by a couple other players who are the shiny new toys in town.

It's best for the organization to have higher ceiling players surpass him, but if I was Kulak I'd feel that I was maxed out and better to get a shot elsewhere if I want to continue an NHL career.

Best of luck to him. He'll get a good shot at earning a full-time spot. The Habs got a pretty decent player today.

[Madman]

So long Tom Kulak.

[dammage79]

Followed Valiev a bit while he was with the Leafs organization. Decent enough puck mover.
Good size. Not as offense oriented as one would like but I think this is just buying an extra farm year contractually for a similar player to Kulak.

Hey another Russian!