The Pittsburgh Penguins traded defenseman Brett Kulak to the Colorado Avalanche on February 24, 2026, in exchange for defenseman Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round draft pick. This marks the NHL's first trade following the Olympic break. The move allows Pittsburgh to add a younger offensive defenseman while bolstering Colorado's defensive depth ahead of the playoffs.
The trade occurred on Tuesday, shortly after the Olympic freeze lifted on Sunday night. Pittsburgh, seeking to retool its roster, acquired 27-year-old Samuel Girard, who is signed through the 2026-27 season at a $5 million cap hit. Girard has recorded three goals and nine assists in 40 games this season, averaging 17:41 of ice time. Over his career, he has 37 goals and 198 assists in 588 NHL games, including 28 points in 67 playoff contests as a member of Colorado's 2022 Stanley Cup-winning team.
In return, Colorado received 32-year-old Brett Kulak, who is in the final year of his contract with a $2.75 million cap hit and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Kulak has nine points in 56 games across stints with the Edmonton Oilers and Penguins this season, averaging 18:53 of ice time. He boasts a 320-game iron man streak and has 134 points in 636 regular-season games, plus 24 points in 98 playoff games, including appearances in two recent Stanley Cup Finals with Edmonton.
Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas praised Girard's puck-moving skills and playoff experience, stating, "We feel Sam can play higher in our lineup because of his ability to play both special teams, ability to move the puck effectively up the ice, mobility, and ability to defend using his feet and intelligence." He noted the trade fits Pittsburgh's strategy of adding young talent, now giving the team three first-round picks, seven second-round picks, and six third-round picks over the next three drafts.
Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland highlighted Kulak's versatility, saying, "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." Coach Jared Bednar added that Kulak provides a different defensive look, offering flexibility in matchups.
Pittsburgh holds a 29-15-12 record, second in the Metropolitan Division, while Colorado leads the NHL at 37-9-9. The Avalanche saved $2.25 million in cap space, positioning them for further moves before the March 6 trade deadline.