Oilers' Kris Knoblauch criticized for showing favouritism on defense
Photo credit: Jerome Miron - Imagn Images
According to a recent article in the Edmonton Journal, hockey writer and analyst Kurt Leavins clains defenseman Brett Kulak is not getting the ice-time his level of play should warrant.
In fact, the analyst goes on to say that head coach Kris Knoblauch is being somewhat biased when deploying his defense roster.
Fair to say that so far into 2025-26 Brett Kulak has been underutilized on this roster. He is tied for second in +/- on this team at +4. That, on a club that has struggled 5v5. Yes, his average time on ice is 18:44. He only played 14:27 Saturday. Last year, Kulak's TOI was 20:32. More on some blueliners who have struggled while Kulak has succeeded in a minute
Head coach controversy over benching star players
There was some discussion around Darnell Nurse's benching in a game where he'd been a liability, with the suggestion that he'd do the same with Evan Bouchard when his play warranted that his ice-time be restricted following several costly turnovers.
That did not happen. In fact, Evan's time was more or less as it has been all year, with a TOI of 24.2, and a goal differential of minus-8.
Instead, one of the Oilers' defenseman who's quietly having a solid year is Brett Kulak; he leads all defensemen with a plus-4, though his TOI Saturday night was just 14:27, down from his TOI of 20:32.
Kulak has been an incredibly important addition to this Edmonton Oilers team since he arrived in March 2022, showing an ability to steadily improve, evident in this year's 5v5 play.
Kulak has driven the team's offence at a 2% rate above league average, defence at a 7% rate above league average, and work on the penalty kill at a 6% rate above league average, according to Hockey Viz.
In contrast, Darnell Nurse is a minus-2 with a TOI of 20.51, while Mattias Ekholm's is minus-6, and a TOI of 19.51.
In comparison, Brett Kulak has played at a1st D-pairing level, while being utilized as a bottom-pairing defenseman.
He's not known for providing offence, but that's not his role. Kulak recorded a career-high 118 blocked shots, surpassing the 106 he had in 2022-23, and continues to block shots this year at a career pace.
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