Why Penguins insiders are calling the latest deal with the Oilers an absolute heist
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Daniel Lucente
Jan 29, 2026 (12:27)
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Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Brett Kulak is a Pittsburgh Penguin, and nearly two months later, the people in Steel City are practically calling the police to report a robbery.
The trade happened back in December.
Edmonton sent Stuart Skinner and Kulak to Pittsburgh.
In return, they got Tristan Jarry and Sam Poulin.
At the time, it looked like a desperate goalie swap.
Today, it looks like Kyle Dubas pulled off the heist of the century.
The latest episode of Get Me The Brandy dropped today.
Hosts Dan Potash and Josh Getzoff didn't mince words.
They are calling the acquisition of Kulak an "absolute heist."
"Getting Brett Kulak in that trade with Edmonton, was an absolute heist."
And honestly?
They aren't wrong.
While Jarry has posted a shaky .884 save percentage in Edmonton, Kulak has been a rock in Pittsburgh.
He wasn't just a "throw-in."
He was the stabilizer the Oilers' blue line couldn't afford to lose.
The Penguins defense has transformed since Kulak arrived in December
Edmonton is still scrambling to find defensive consistency.
Meanwhile, Kulak is eating up minutes and shutting down plays in Pittsburgh.
He has stabilized their third pair and even stepped up into the top four when needed.
The Oilers wanted a goalie shakeup.
That's fine.
But including a reliable, 200-foot defenseman like Kulak?
That is the kind of mistake that haunts GMs.
Pittsburgh got a starting goalie and a legitimate NHL defenseman.
Edmonton got a project in net and a question mark up front.
You listen to the chatter in Pittsburgh today, and the vibe is clear.
They can't believe they got away with this.
The Oilers might make the playoffs.
But looking at Kulak thriving in black and gold?
That has to sting for everyone in Oil Country.
In the eyes of those in Pittsburgh, Dubas won this one.
Hands down.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 29|178 ANSWERS Why Penguins insiders are calling the latest deal with the Oilers an absolute heist Do you think the Oilers will regret moving Brett Kulak more than Stuart Skinner? | ||
| Yes | 137 | 77 % |
| No | 41 | 23 % |
| List of polls | ||