Brett Kulak Traded to Avalanche as Samuel Girard Heads to Pittsburgh in NHL Deadline Deal
The Colorado Avalanche and Pittsburgh Penguins completed a defense-for-defense swap on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, with the Avalanche acquiring Brett Kulak and the Penguins landing Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round draft pick. The trade was announced just days ahead of the NHL trade deadline.
Brett Kulak Joins His Third Team This Season
Brett Kulak now plays for his third NHL franchise in a single season. The 32-year-old defenseman was first dealt from the Edmonton Oilers to the Pittsburgh Penguins in December as part of the Stuart Skinner–Tristan Jarry goaltender swap. Now Colorado gives him yet another new home before the deadline.
Kulak carries a $2.75 million cap hit and is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. He posted one goal and eight assists for nine points across 56 games split between Edmonton and Pittsburgh this season, averaging 18:53 of ice time per night.
Sam Girard Ends Nine-Season Run in Colorado
Samuel Girard's tenure with the Colorado Avalanche — one of the longest-running relationships between a defenseman and a franchise in recent NHL history — is officially over. The 27-year-old Quebec native spent nearly a decade with the organization and was part of the 2022 Stanley Cup championship team.
In 2025-26, Sam Girard recorded three goals and 12 points in 40 games with a plus-12 rating. Over 588 career NHL games, Girard has compiled 37 goals, 198 assists, and 235 points, with 750 blocked shots ranking third all-time in Avalanche/Nordiques franchise history.
Contract and Cap Implications
| Player | Team | Cap Hit | Contract Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brett Kulak | Colorado Avalanche | $2.75M | UFA after 2025-26 |
| Samuel Girard | Pittsburgh Penguins | $5.00M | Signed through 2026-27 |
By moving Girard's $5 million deal and absorbing Kulak at $2.75 million, Colorado gains roughly $2.25 million in immediate cap flexibility — space the Avalanche could use to address needs at center before Friday's deadline.
What Samuel Girard Brings to Pittsburgh
The Penguins add a puck-moving, left-shot defenseman in his prime years. Samuel Girard's 5-foot-10, 170-pound frame is built for speed and transition play. He is signed through the 2026-27 season, giving Pittsburgh two years to integrate him into their system. His postseason résumé — 28 points in 67 career playoff games — adds meaningful experience to a Penguins blue line working to stay competitive in the Eastern Conference.
What Brett Kulak Brings to Colorado
Colorado general manager Chris MacFarland praised Brett Kulak as a two-way defenseman capable of playing up and down the lineup. Kulak brings Stanley Cup Final experience, appearing in back-to-back Finals with Edmonton in 2024 and 2025, averaging 23:25 of ice time per game during the 2025 postseason. His penalty-killing ability and physical presence offer Colorado a different profile than the departed Girard.
Trade Deadline Context
With the 2026 NHL trade deadline set for Friday, this Brett Kulak–Samuel Girard swap signals that both clubs are actively reshaping their rosters. Pittsburgh continues to stockpile picks and younger players under contract, now holding more than 34 selections over the next four drafts. Colorado frees up salary and adds a proven depth defender just as the playoff push enters its final stretch.
