I agree Winnipeg needs a top 4 LD but Kulak is a fringe top 4 guy at best. They need someone who's like a #3

They don’t have the cap space for it and they need to think about the expansion draft
IMO that’s one of the best scenario

In the long term yeah, but neither Hamonic or Vatanen or whoever left are what they need. Kulak's a nice stopgap for a year and it allows them to protect Morrissey, Pionk and DeMelo in the ED

Well considering they are most likely acquiring said player VIA trade and have roughly 4.6M in LTIR cap space I think they can afford a solid top 4 LD.

I agree that stopgap is the right direction for them. I just think there are better options if they are trying to make a cup run. For example Ryan Murray.

He’s always injured ... Kulak isn’t and he’s a solid upgrade on Beaulieu Forbort Sbisa

I wouldn't say solid upgrade. Kulak is fairly inconsistent. As for Ryan's injuries, WPG has the depth right now to fill in for him when he's out.

Beaulieu Forbort on the top4 ? Really

Winnipeg is better off just signing a UFA defenseman if they want another bottom pairing guy. Why throw away a pick?

I think a guy like MacKenzie Weegar would be a good fit for WPG. He's a 26yr old D-man who can play either side and had 18 points in 45 games this season. You could send Roslovic back to FLA where he could play in their top 6 and send Niku with him to give him a fresh start

I clearly said Ryan Murray in the top 4. What are you missing. If he goes down for a few games then you have depth that can step up, as well as Heinola.

He can play top4 easily if you watch hockey
Why are you always here commenting if you don’t even watch games ?

Just because he can play top 4 barely adequately in a pinch doesn't make him a top 4 defenseman. There are better options in UFA, so no need to waste a pick.

There is no better option via UFA, and I never say he was a top4 LHD, but he can play there easily since he’s good in the offensive neutral and defensive zone

I’m not sure that package interests FLA. If they were, I’d expect that it would be complete by now. I also think it’s a fair trade.

My guess is they're probably looking for a proven top 6 forward for him

I do too, I don’t see who the Jets could part with that they could stomach.

Yeah it probably is not going to happen with the Jets. Are there really any teams that you could see departing with a top 6 forward for Weegar?

DeBrusk for Weegar seems like the best fit. Same age (roughly), salary, and fills the need for each team.

Habs don t trade Kulak before they are sure 100% Romanov is ready to play in NHL. If you trade Kulak and Romanov needs a year in Laval, you have a hole on the D.

Boston protect who for the draft then ?

A 3rd pick is probably to much for Kulak but I would do :

Poolman + 5th round pick vs Kulak

We would get more depth on the RD and we would loose cap hit

WIN would get a top 6 D for cheap

Haven’t looked that far but given the window on krecji and Bergeron, I think they’d take their chances this year by filling an area of need.