SAN JOSE, CA - NOVEMBER 03: Brett Kulak #61 of the Calgary Flames shoots the puck against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on November 3, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images)
Let's quickly review the rules for the upcoming NHL expansion draft. One specific rule, actually:
All first- and second-year professionals, as well as all unsigned draft choices, will be exempt from selection (and will not be counted toward their club's applicable protection limits).
Brett Kulak played his 2014-15 season in the ECHL, AHL, and NHL.