Gulutzan has a lot of faith in the pairing, too, recalling how his team improved once Stone came into the fold last season.
"I know it was right around the time that we got Stoney there that we really took off as a group," he said. "And I like that pair. TJ's game got better, I thought they played very well, so. Again, part of the plan is when Tre put everything together we had guys that could play both sides and we had guys that could step up and play, so that's the beauty of having a defenceman like Stoney."
Kulak, meanwhile, is getting increasingly comfortable as an NHLer. Tonight will be his sixth game of the season, and it's possible he could be called on to play a bigger role.
"I think I gotta stay the same way, and then just, you know, if I am called on (for) a higher role, just respond to that and do what I've been doing, just play hard and be effective in that role," he said. "And you know, obviously it's a big void to fill with Hammy out of the lineup, but I'm just going to, when I'm called upon, I'm going to do what I can to help the team."