The Colorado Avalanche and Pittsburgh Penguins shook up the NHL landscape on February 24, 2026, with a headline-grabbing trade that sent longtime Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round draft pick to Pittsburgh in exchange for veteran blueliner Brett Kulak. This move, which came just days before the trade deadline, has sparked plenty of debate in both cities and across the league as fans, analysts, and players grapple with its implications for the present and future of both franchises.
Girard, 27, leaves Colorado after nine seasons in burgundy and blue, where he amassed 232 points (36 goals, 196 assists) over 583 games. Known for his slick skating and puck-moving ability, Girard had become a fixture on the Avalanche blue line, even posting a career-high 37 points in the 2022-23 season and notching three seasons of at least 30 points. This year, however, his role had diminished slightly, averaging just 17:41 of ice time per game—the lowest since his rookie campaign—and tallying 12 points in 40 games before the trade. His $5 million contract runs through the end of the 2026-27 season, making him a significant piece for Pittsburgh’s evolving defensive corps.
For the Penguins, the acquisition of Girard addresses a pressing need for a left-shot defenseman. Pittsburgh’s blue line, already featuring Parker Wotherspoon, Ryan Shea, and Ryan Graves, now adds a player with top-four pedigree and years of playoff experience. With Girard’s arrival, the Penguins also secure a valuable draft asset, giving them a staggering seven second-round picks and six third-round picks over the next three drafts. As one analyst put it, “For the Penguins, this is a home run. At 27, Girard is five years younger than Kulak. GM Kyle Dubas essentially got the younger player in this deal and received a valuable draft pick, which is pretty incredible work.”
On the other side of the deal, Brett Kulak, 32, brings a different skill set to Colorado. Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 192 pounds, Kulak is known as a steady, stay-at-home defenseman who can log big minutes in all situations. He’s registered 134 points (29 goals, 105 assists) in 636 career regular-season games since 2014, suiting up for Pittsburgh, Edmonton, Montreal, and Calgary. This season, he’s split time between the Oilers and Penguins, collecting one goal and eight assists in 56 games. Kulak’s playoff resume is impressive as well, with 24 points in 98 career Stanley Cup Playoff games and a key role in the Oilers’ back-to-back appearances in the Stanley Cup Finals, including averaging a hefty 23:25 per game last year due to injuries on the Oilers’ blue line.
Colorado’s management sees Kulak as a crucial addition for their postseason ambitions. Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland emphasized, “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.” Head coach Jared Bednar echoed the sentiment, saying, “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. (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.”
The trade, however, wasn’t just about swapping players. Financial considerations played a significant role. With Kulak’s contract carrying a $2.75 million cap hit and set to expire at season’s end, the Avalanche cleared $2.25 million in cap space. This newfound flexibility could be pivotal as Colorado eyes further moves before the deadline, possibly to activate forward Logan O’Connor from long-term injured reserve or even target a marquee forward such as Nazem Kadri. As one analyst noted, “This deal opens up a critical $2.25 million in cap room for Colorado, so you’d have to think this is a precursor for a bigger swing ahead of the deadline.”
For Girard, the move marks the end of an era in Colorado. Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland offered heartfelt words on Girard’s departure: “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. We wish him and his family the best of luck in Pittsburgh.” The emotional impact of the trade was felt in the locker room as well. Defenseman Josh Manson admitted, “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. 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 often played alongside Girard this season and recently signed a four-year, $4.75 million extension, is expected to adapt quickly to the new lineup. Malinski’s emergence as a dynamic, puck-moving defenseman made Girard somewhat redundant, especially given their similar stature. “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,” Malinski said of his new teammate Kulak. Analysts suggest that Kulak’s size and defensive prowess could be a better fit for Colorado’s playoff aspirations, particularly against bigger, heavier teams.
The trade also completes a fascinating sequence of moves involving the Penguins, who had previously acquired Kulak from Edmonton as part of the Tristan Jarry deal. In just 25 games with Pittsburgh, Kulak’s time was brief but impactful, and now the Penguins have essentially turned Jarry into Stuart Skinner’s expiring contract, Girard, and two second-round picks—a remarkable haul as they retool on the fly. With franchise stalwarts Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson both north of 35, Girard provides a potential bridge to the next generation of Pittsburgh defensemen.
From a hockey perspective, the deal seems to offer both teams what they need right now. For Colorado, it’s about shoring up defensive depth and gaining the financial flexibility to make another splash before the playoffs. For Pittsburgh, it’s about acquiring a younger, offensively gifted defenseman and stockpiling draft assets to fuel their ongoing retool. As one analyst summed up, “Total value wise, Girard and Kulak are probably similar, but their playstyles are completely different and Kulak likely makes the perfect partner for Malinski.”
With the trade deadline approaching and both teams eyeing postseason runs, all eyes will be on how Girard settles into his new role in Pittsburgh and how Kulak adapts to the Avalanche’s system. The coming weeks could bring even more fireworks as Colorado’s front office weighs its next move with its increased cap space. For now, the dust is still settling, but one thing’s for sure—this trade has set the stage for plenty of intrigue as the NHL season barrels toward its dramatic conclusion.