SALT LAKE CITY — Brett Kulak is getting a crash course on what his new team expects of him.

Unfortunately, he’s used to that process.

The veteran defenseman was a key cog on the Edmonton Oilers’ blue line in each of their last two runs to the Stanley Cup final, averaging 23-plus minutes per game in the playoffs less than a year ago. A slow start to this season saw him dealt Dec. 12 to the Pittsburgh Penguins, a team sitting in a playoff spot.

He was caught a bit off guard by Tuesday’s trade to the Avalanche, who moved defenseman Sam Girard and a 2028 second-round draft pick to obtain Kulak.

“To be honest, mentally, I was pretty surprised we got moved again, just the way the (Penguins) were rolling,” Kulak said Wednesday prior to his first game with the Avalanche in Utah. “I thought at least I would probably at least finish out the year there is where my mind was at. This game and this league, it’ll surprise you when you least expect it and that was the case again.”

Kulak was in Pittsburgh enjoying a day off with his family when he got a message to come in and see the coach and general manager.

“Any time you get that message, you know something’s happening,” he said.

That’s when he found out it was time to pack up and move again. He was headed to the Avalanche. Despite only being in Pittsburgh for a few months, Kulak and his family had settled in, finding a place where they could get comfortable. Now it’s back to square one.

“It’s a lot of phone calls, lots of logistics things trying to organize,” he said. “My wife and kids are kind of left to pick up the pieces. I move here, I just bring my hockey bag and away I go. A lot happened (Tuesday) and it’ll be a busy few days for sure.”

For now, his focus turns to playing for a new team, which was the case Wednesday in Utah. The Avalanche needed him immediately. Without much time for practice over the next month, he’ll learn on the fly what’s expected of him in Colorado.

“I don’t want him thinking too much, but there’s a lot of similarities between the last two clubs that he’s played with and ours. That’ll be a work in progress over the next few days,” coach Jared Bednar said.

The Avalanche coaching staff, including penalty kill coach Nolan Pratt, sat down with Kulak and went over their systems and what they expect from their new defensemen. Kulak is expected to step in immediately and help kill penalties in the spot previously occupied by Girard.

Any defenseman that’s traded to Colorado learns one thing quickly: if you can skate, this system is perfect for you.

“It’s a simple system for the (defensemen),” Kulak said. “It gives you freedom to use your legs and be involved in the play at all times. I think every (defenseman) likes that.”

What the Avalanche love about Kulak — beyond the size he adds to their defense — is his experience. He has been to the Stanley Cup Final three times and has played in 98 playoff games. Outside of that experience, he brings some versatility to the defense the Avalanche staff may look to take advantage of.

“They’re in the Stanley Cup finals twice, (and) he’s playing with all different kinds of guys,” Bednar said. “I think he has the ability to defend top guys in the league, not only in regular season, but in the playoffs and do a nice job. Playing with a guy like (Evan) Bouchard will be similar to playing with a guy like Cale (Makar), and if that frees up (Devon Toews) a little bit to be able to different things, or even if (Kulak’s) playing with a guy like (Josh) Manson, I just think it helps. It provides us some matchup strengths that maybe we didn’t have with Girard. They’re completely different players.”

Kulak will have plenty of on-the-job training right out of the gate. The Avalanche play three games in his first four days with the team.