Montreal Canadiens re-sign Brett Kulak

The Montreal Canadiens have re-signed defenceman Brett Kulak to a three-year contract.

The contract will have a cap hit of $1.85 million per year, which is outstanding value for the defenceman who cemented a role in the team’s top four last season. He was set to become a restricted free agent on July 1.

His role solidified into a second pairing spot with Jeff Petry, and the pair had very good results.

Kulak was acquired before the season started from the Calgary Flames for Matt Taormina and Rinat Valiev. Kulak, 25, played 57 games for the Canadiens last season and set career highs in goals (6), assists (11), and points (17).

Kulak also played 19 games for the Laval Rocket before being recalled by the Canadiens. He had three goals and eight assists.

Kulak is the 11th defenceman under contract for the 2019-20 season for the Canadiens and the third one to sign a contract since the season ended, joining Christian Folin and Otto Leskinen.

He is the first restricted free agent to sign, after the team signed unrestricted free agents Folin, Nate Thompson, and Jordan Weal.