Obscure former Boston Bruins: Karson Kuhlman

After doing the most recent obscure former Boston Bruins pieces on Par Lindholm, Greg McKegg, we’re continuing with the forwards with the most recent one. This time, we’re covering Karson Kuhlman.

Karson Kuhlman broke into the NHL as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Boston Bruins in April of 2018 on a two-year entry level contract. He pitched in three goals and two assists with the Bruins in 11 regular season games down the stretch of the 2018-2019 season, adding one goal and two assists in eight playoff games.

During the 2019-2020 season, Kuhlman fought through a stint on IR and bouncing back and forth between Boston and Providence. He put up just one goal and five assists in 25 games before the regular season ended abruptly.

Before the Covid shortened 2021 regular season, the Bruins and Kuhlman agreed to a two year, $1.45 million contract, with a $725,000 cap hit. In the Covid year, he had just two points, both being goals, in 20 games of action.

The second year of the contract, 2021-2022, Kuhlman had one goal and one assist in 19 games for the Bruins through January. With no clear route to consistent playing time, the Bruins waived Kuhlman in January of 2022, where he was claimed by the Seattle Kraken.

In a Kraken uniform for the rest of the season, Kuhlman scored two goals with six assists in 25 games. He started the 2022-2023 season with the Kraken on a one-year contract, putting up a goal and two assists in 14 games.

In December of 2022, he was waived by the Kraken and was claimed the next day by the Winnipeg Jets. He had two goals and two assists with the Jets in 33 games and played in one playoff game for the Jets in their first round loss to the eventual champion Vegas Golden Knights.

Currently, Karson Kuhlman is a member of the New York Islanders organization, having signed a one year, $775,000 contract in July. He figures to once again be bouncing between the AHL, NHL, and a healthy scratch, as he’s a depth fourth line winger at best.