When Saturday night’s game begins, Brett Kulak will be credited with his 500th NHL game when the Edmonton Oilers take on the Chicago Blackhawks during the late slot on Hockey Night in Canada. The milestone marks a significant achievement for the 30-year-old Alberta-born defenceman, who has built his career on consistency, reliability, and hard work since being drafted in the fourth round (105th overall) by the Calgary Flames at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Through 499 regular season games, Kulak has registered 21 goals, 79 assists, and 100 points while racking up 200 penalty minutes during stints with the Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadiens, and Edmonton Oilers. Though his offensive numbers don’t jump off the page, Kulak has never been the type of player to grab headlines for flashy plays. Instead, he’s known for his solid skating, defensive awareness, and ability to step up in various situations when needed. Kulak’s role often shifts between a bottom-four defenceman and an occasional top-pairing player, depending on the team’s needs. Still, his adaptability has earned him coaches’ trust throughout his career.
Kulak began his NHL journey with Calgary, breaking into the league in 2015-16 after spending time in the AHL with the Stockton Heat. His early years were a mix of development and proving himself, bouncing between the NHL and AHL as he honed his defensive game. In 2018, he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens, where he established himself as a reliable NHL defenceman, adding depth to their blue line over the next four seasons. His time in Montreal included playing a significant role in the team’s 2021 run to the Stanley Cup Final.
In March 2022, the Oilers traded for Kulak at the deadline to add depth and defensive stability ahead of their own playoff push. Since joining the Oilers, Kulak has become a trusted part of their defensive corps, using his experience and versatility to play a key role in their lineup, signing a new contract with the team as a free agent. Whether on the penalty kill, protecting a lead, or jumping up in the order in a pinch, Kulak’s game has remained dependable and poised.
One aspect of Kulak’s career that stands out is his playoff experience. Over 76 playoff games, Kulak has contributed 19 points (two goals, 17 assists), including Edmonton’s recent playoff runs to the Western Conference Final and Stanley Cup Final. His ability to elevate his game when the stakes are highest has made him an invaluable part of the Oilers’ postseason efforts, even if he doesn’t always appear in the boxscore. His steady presence, particularly in defensive situations, has provided the Oilers with much-needed depth on the blue line.
Now in his fourth season with the Oilers, Kulak will be a key piece of the defensive coverage. Zach Laing summarized recently summarized Kulak’s 2023-24 season in preparation for the current campaign:
With Kulak on the ice, no matter the partner, the Oilers controlled 53.3 percent of the shot attempt share, 54.5 percent of the scoring chance share, 56.5 percent of the expected goal share while virtually breaking even in actual goals with 50.6 percent of the share. While the offensive metrics weren’t exactly strong, with shot attempt for and scoring chance for rates lower than average, the defensive metrics were rock solid compared to his teammates.Kulak was an impact player for the team last year, providing both offence and defence at a five percent rates above league average, according to Hockey Viz, whose model showed the defenceman impacted the game at the same level as a top pairing defenceman. It goes without saying that having a player doing that on your third pairing, where he rightly fits in on this blue line, is a huge boon for the team.
As Kulak prepares for his 500th game, his numbers reflect a career of persistence and consistency. While not known for offensive output, his 100 career points in the regular season highlight his ability to contribute when needed, often jumping into the play or making key passes to generate scoring chances. His 200 penalty minutes show he’s not afraid to get involved physically, but his discipline and hockey IQ have allowed him to avoid being a liability.
Reaching 500 games in the NHL is a significant milestone for any player, and for Brett Kulak, it’s a testament to the dedication and resilience that have shaped his career. As he hits this milestone against the Blackhawks, Kulak can reflect on a career that has seen him grow from a young defenseman trying to make his mark into a reliable veteran who plays a key role on a team with championship aspirations.
BRETT KULAK’S CAREER SO FAR
| Season | Team | Lge | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- | PGP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014-15 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
2015-16 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -2 | — | — | — | — | — |
2015-16 | Stockton Heat | AHL | 59 | 3 | 14 | 17 | 36 | -9 | — | — | — | — | — |
2016-17 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 21 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 12 | -3 | — | — | — | — | — |
2016-17 | Stockton Heat | AHL | 22 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 14 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
2017-18 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 71 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 27 | -3 | — | — | — | — | — |
2018-19 | Laval Rocket | AHL | 19 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
2018-19 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 57 | 6 | 11 | 17 | 31 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — |
2019-20 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 56 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 12 | -1 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
2020-21 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 46 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 20 | 3 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
2021-22 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 56 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 33 | -10 | — | — | — | — | — |
2021-22 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 18 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 12 |
2022-23 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 82 | 3 | 17 | 20 | 41 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 |
2023-24 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 82 | 3 | 13 | 16 | 30 | 25 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 14 | |
2024-25 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | |||||
NHL Totals | 499 | 21 | 79 | 100 | 220 | 76 | 2 | 17 | 19 | 39 |
