The Colorado Avalanche have traded Samuel Girard to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Brett Kulak.
Included in the deal to the Pens is a second-round draft pick in 2028. The swapping of defensemen adds a bit of depth and size to the Avalanche’s bottom defensive pair.
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We have acquired Brett Kulak from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Samuel Girard and a 2nd round pick in 2028 NHL Draft. pic.twitter.com/tZrCRBm3LB
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 24, 2026
Kulak, 32, has nine points over 56 games in 2025-26 with the Edmonton Oilers and Penguins. He has 134 points (29g/105a) with Pittsburgh, Edmonton, the Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames from 2014-26 in 636 career regular-season games.
“First of all, we would like to thank Samuel for all he has done for the Avalanche organization both on and off the ice over the last nine seasons. ‘G’ is a great person and teammate and was a big part of the group that helped our turnaround back in 2017,” Avs GM Chris MacFarland said. “We wish him and his family the best of luck in Pittsburgh.
“In Brett, we are acquiring a two-way defenseman who can play up and down the lineup. He logs big minutes in all situations and brings a ton of playoff experience that will help our blue line depth.”
The 6-foot-1, 192-pound defenseman has 24 points in 98 career Stanley Cup Playoff games. He was part of the Oilers team that played in the last two Stanley Cup Finals. His contract is $2.75M, and he becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season.
Girard, 27, spent nine seasons with the Avalanche from 2017-26 and earned 232 points (36g/196a) in 583 career games. His contract is $5M per year and expires next season.
Avalanche react to losing Girard, adding Kulak
Josh Manson and the rest of the team will have to adjust to losing a longtime teammate.
“It’s tough. Just saying that it’s a business doesn’t make it any easier. You still have feelings and friendships and years of time spent together,” Manson said. “It never gets any easier to see somebody walk out the door. Things change. It’s not the same as having somebody on your team now, and moving forward, it’ll be different.”
Sam Malinski, who regularly played with Girard this season, will have to adapt to a new pairmate. He has played with various players over the past two and a half seasons, so the adjustment may come more quickly.
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“I’ve watched him. He’s a really good player, and he’s got good size, strong, pretty steady, and he’s got a lot of experience too. So I’m definitely excited to play with him.”
Trades are part of the business and head coach Jared Bednar is looking ahead to how his new personnel will fit in his team.
“You’re getting a big, solid D that can skate and defend real well and move the puck. He does a lot of good things — a guy that’s been in the back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals,” Bednar said. “(He) was an integral part of their blue line, and what they were trying to do as a team. We like the player a lot, and so we’re excited.”
