Avalanche Acquire Brett Kulak, Send Samuel Girard to Penguins
In a move to bolster their defensive lineup, the Colorado Avalanche acquired defenseman Brett Kulak from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, in exchange for defenseman Samuel Girard and a second-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft. The trade marks the first NHL transaction since the lifting of the Olympic freeze late Sunday night.
Kulak’s Journey to Colorado
Kulak, 32, joins the Avalanche after a brief stint with the Penguins, where he was acquired in December as part of the trade that sent goaltender Tristan Jarry to the Edmonton Oilers. He registered one goal and seven points in 25 games with Pittsburgh, following a stretch with the Oilers earlier this season. He has recorded nine points (1g/8a) over 56 games in the 2025-26 season with both the Oilers and Penguins, averaging 18:53 of ice time. ColoradoAvalanche.com
Known for his steady presence and defensive reliability, Kulak brings a wealth of experience to the Avalanche, having also played for the Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames throughout his career. He owns the ninth-longest active “Iron Man” streak, with 320 consecutive games played dating back to March 24, 2022. ColoradoAvalanche.com
Girard Heads to Pittsburgh
In return, the Avalanche sent Samuel Girard, a key member of their 2022 Stanley Cup-winning team, to the Penguins. The 27-year-ancient defenseman had been with the Avalanche organization since being acquired in a trade with the Nashville Predators in the 2017-18 season. Denver7
Girard has played 588 NHL games, producing 37 goals and 235 points. He also contributed 28 points in 67 postseason games for Colorado. ESPN
The Penguins also receive a second-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft as part of the deal.
Penguins’ Future Outlook
The acquisition of Girard provides the Penguins with a young, offensive-minded defenseman signed through the 2026-27 season, fitting with General Manager Kyle Dubas’ strategy of building a roster with both current impact and future potential. ESPN Dubas has recently added players like Egor Chinakhov, Justin Brazeau, Tommy Novak, Parker Wotherspoon, Artūrs Šilovs, Connor Dewar, and Ben Kindel. ESPN
Pittsburgh now boasts a significant collection of draft capital, with three first-round picks, seven second-round picks, and six third-round picks over the next three drafts. ESPN The team also has approximately $10 million in cap space for the current season and a projected $48 million for the next. ESPN
Avalanche’s Defensive Reinforcement
For the Avalanche, adding Kulak provides an experienced, stay-at-home defenseman as they aim to maintain their position atop the Western Conference. Denver7 Colorado has around $8 million in cap space this season and approximately $13 million in cap space for next season. ESPN