The Edmonton Oilers are preparing for defenceman Brett Kulak to hit the free-agent market.

This, according to DailyFaceoff’s Frank Seravalli.

As Seravalli noted, it sounds like the two clubs have struggled to find common ground on a new contract. Sportsnet’s Mark Spector reported over the weekend Kulak’s minimum ask was four years and $2.5-m AAV, which in my eyes, is a steal of a deal. The term is a bit rough, but that price value is right on point.

Kulak should be a priority for the Oilers without a doubt here, but you can’t blame him for seeing what’s out there. A business decision, if you will.

It’s not a bad one for the player. Kulak will find himself as one of the best left-shot rearguards in the free-agent pool.

For the Oilers, however, it could completely change their offseason plans. Edmonton has already thinned out on the left side with Duncan Keith retiring, so losing Kulak would just open up another hole the Oilers need to fill in a key offseason.

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