Dean Kukan started the season playing for the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Cleveland Monsters. Kukan played exceptionally well for the Monsters, registering 1-14-15 in 32 games played en route to being named to participate in his first AHL All-Star Classic. Kukan, however, was unable to compete in the Classic as he was called up to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Kukan played ten games for the Blue Jackets before suffering an injury that kept him out until the final game of the regular season. During those ten games, Kukan registered zero goals and four assists as he played mostly third pairing minutes, 12:22 per night.