One of the biggest surprises of training camp was 21-year-old blueliner Brett Kulak. Heck, you can make a case that he was the biggest surprise, period. A relative dark-horse to make the opening day roster of a Calgary Flames club that had seven veteran defensemen on one-way deals, a couple injuries opened the door for a young player to take a spot.
With that door open a crack, Kulak kicked it open with some strong play in the pre-season.
It's a bit fitting that a pair of injuries may come to define this season for Kulak, because a pair of conversations with Flames assistant general manager Brad Pascall really defined Kulak's first pro season.