The Pittsburgh Penguins pulled off a significant trade on Friday morning, sending goaltender Tristan Jarry and forward Sam Poulin to the Edmonton Oilers. In return, they received goaltender Stuart Skinner, defenseman Brett Kulak, and a 2029 second-round draft pick.
The Oilers have been linked to Jarry recently due to their struggles in goal this season. Combining the efforts of Skinner and Cal Picard, Edmonton has posted a disappointing .879 save percentage through the first two months. Adding Jarry is expected to bring much-needed stability to their goaltending situation.
Skinner, drafted in the third round in 2017 by Edmonton, has had an uneven career. Now, he gets a fresh start with Pittsburgh, where he will initially share goaltending duties with Arturs Shilovs while Sergei Murashov remains active in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
On defense, Brett Kulak is an immediate enhancement for the Penguins’ third defensive pairing and could also play alongside Kris Letang on the second pairing. Though Kulak has had a slow start this year, this has been largely influenced by Edmonton’s poor goaltending, which affected his on-ice save percentage (.861).
Last season, Kulak delivered an impressive performance with seven goals and 25 points across 82 games. He logged over 20 minutes per game in the regular season and over 23 minutes in the playoffs, showcasing both offensive prowess and defensive reliability, particularly during 5-on-5 and penalty kill situations. His on-ice presence last season indicated effective defense, outshooting opponents in shot attempts and scoring chances when paired with teammates like Ty Emberson, Darnell Nurse, and Evan Bouchard.
Emberson, coming off his first full NHL season, has some coaching ties to Kulak. There’s also a slight chance that Harrison Brunicke may join the Penguins later this season after returning from the World Juniors, potentially giving Kulak new partnership opportunities.
Kris Letang is currently facing challenges, and pairing him with Kulak could provide a much-needed boost to Pittsburgh’s defense, especially after Letang’s recent struggles, such as in the game against the Montreal Canadiens. Kulak’s capability on the penalty kill also stands out, a critical asset for a Penguins team ranked fourth in the league with an 84.7% penalty kill success rate. Kulak had substantial penalty-kill time last season and has already contributed significantly in this area this year.
If Kulak regains his form and continues to excel on penalty kills, he could be a pivotal contributor for Pittsburgh ahead of the trade deadline. However, his future with the team might hinge on management’s plans, as he becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season.
Despite a recent losing streak, the Penguins remain in the playoff hunt with a 14-8-7 record, facing tough upcoming games against top teams in the Metropolitan Division. Ultimately, the focus will be on winning, but Kulak’s addition certainly bolsters the team’s defensive depth.
This trade is significant for Penguins fans and hockey followers alike because it reflects a strategic move to strengthen key positions and enhance team performance. As Kulak and Skinner integrate, the Penguins may find the depth and stability needed to make a strong playoff push, impacting the competitive landscape of the NHL.
Fan Take: This trade is a bold statement by the Penguins, highlighting their commitment to solidifying their defense and goaltending. For hockey fans, it signals an exciting shift that could alter team dynamics and playoff outcomes this season.
