Jan 17: The Seattle Kraken have claimed Kuhlman, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. The forward will likely get a bigger opportunity with the expansion club than he was ever going to get in Boston, though where he fits into the lineup isn’t yet clear. Kuhlman will remain on an NHL roster though, something he hasn’t been able to say in years past.
Jan 16: The Boston Bruins have seemingly decided that Karson Kuhlman’s time on the active roster has come to an end for the time being, as Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports that the depth forward is on waivers today.
Notably, if the Bruins wanted to clear a roster spot they could have sent the waiver-exempt Oskar Steen down, but the 23-year-old forward has played well of late in his first regular taste of NHL action. Kuhlman’s placement on waivers suggests that Steen has now secured his spot on the active roster, at least for now.
Kuhlman, 26, has played in 19 games this season for the Bruins and has registered just two points. In his last appearance against the Washington Capitals, he played just over ten minutes, almost exactly what he’s averaged for the year. The undrafted free agent signing out of the University of Minnesota-Duluth has played in 75 NHL games to this point in his career, racking up 111 hits and 15 points.
Interestingly, Kuhlman actually carries a cap hit lower than the league minimum salary, as his two-year deal comes with just a $725K average annual value. That could certainly be attractive to other teams, though fourth-line claims are still relatively rare.
Kuhlman has the speed to be an NHL guy but is just lacking in every other regard. I kept hoping he’d be able to challenge the defense with his speed but the problem is even if he beat the D down the ice he never could get the puck past the goalie or do much to set up a teammate.
When he first came up I thought he was going to be their enforcer but ends up being another useless guy more pro Sweeney need to be fired
What? The guy is tiny. In what world would he be an enforcer? I don’t even know that he has been in a fight.
Great wheels but not much else. Best of luck in Seattle, Karson. Hopefully some consistent playing time will give him some confidence. Solid college player but did very little in Boston.
In his first few game he had a few I never said he’d be a good one but it’s a kinda player this team desperately needs even with their little run
Over 75 NHL games, Kuhlman has had ONE, count them, ONE major penalty. He has 15 PIM for his entire career. He’s had a total of four minor penalties over four seasons in Providence. He had only one major penalty over four years in college. Christ, Patrice Bergeron’s been in more fights. Kuhlman’s a whole hell of a lot closer to a Lady Byng than he is to crack the top fifty PIM leaders. How in the hell could anyone who wasn’t high or drunk have thought he was an “enforcer?”
Oh I must of got him confused with one of the other crap players Sweeney’s brought in maybe it was Trent Frederic I do still believe they need that kinda guy though
Could Gorton claim him?
okay, but how does this affect their cap flexibility?
Adds another 610k to their deadline cap flexibility.
I meant Seattle (and I was joking)
This is just another example of King Ronnie calling the shots from his throne.
Weaponized cap space = Karson Kuhlman