The Pittsburgh Penguins and Colorado Avalanche completed a trade Wednesday, sending defenseman Brett Kulak to the Avalanche in exchange for defenseman Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round draft pick, according to announcements from both teams.
Girard, 27, is in his ninth NHL season and carries an average annual value of $5 million through the 2026-27 season. He has appeared in 40 games this season, registering three goals, nine assists, and 12 points, while maintaining a plus-12 rating. Throughout his 588-game NHL career with the Avalanche and Nashville Predators, Girard has accumulated 37 goals, 198 assists, and 235 points. He also has 28 points in 67 career playoff games, having won the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2022.
Kulak, who joined the Penguins in December, is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. He has been a veteran presence on the Pittsburgh blue line.
The Penguins, according to reports, are retooling their roster with the acquisition of Girard, hoping a change of scenery will benefit the defenseman. Analysts suggest Girard excels as an offensive defenseman, possessing strong passing skills and a preference for moving the puck out of the defensive zone with possession. However, his smaller stature presents challenges in defending the rush, potentially necessitating a sheltered role within the Penguins’ defensive pairings.
The Avalanche, meanwhile, are bolstering their defense ahead of a potential playoff run. The team has not commented on the specific role Kulak will fill, but the acquisition adds experience to their defensive corps.
Pittsburgh now holds 34 draft picks over the next four NHL drafts, including 20 selections in the first three rounds, giving them significant flexibility in future player acquisitions. The team has one first-round pick in 2026, two second-round picks, and two third-round picks that year. They have a similar allotment in 2027, and in 2028, they have one first-round pick, three second-round picks, and two third-round picks. In 2029, they have one first-round pick, two second-round picks, and one third-round pick.
