Brett Kulak Traded to Avalanche in Deadline Blue Line Shake-Up

PITTSBURGH (Azat TV) – Veteran defenseman Brett Kulak was traded to the Colorado Avalanche from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, in a significant move that reshapes both teams’ blue lines just ahead of the NHL’s March 6 trade deadline. The Avalanche acquired Kulak, a 32-year-old left-shot defenseman, in exchange for 27-year-old defenseman Samuel Girard and a second-round draft pick in 2028. This deal marks the first major transaction since the NHL’s Olympic freeze lifted late Sunday night, signaling the start of heightened activity in the league’s trade market.

The trade addresses immediate needs for both franchises. The Colorado Avalanche, widely considered one of the NHL’s top teams, sought a steady, defensive presence on their blue line, while the Pittsburgh Penguins continued their strategy of acquiring younger talent and bolstering their future draft capital. Kulak, who was in the final season of a contract carrying a $2.75 million salary cap hit, now heads to the Western Conference, where he previously played parts of five seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, including their 2022 Western Conference Final sweep by the very same Avalanche.

Kulak’s Role and Impact on the Avalanche Blue Line

Brett Kulak, an Edmonton native, is known for his cerebral defensive play. After a slow start earlier this season with the Oilers, he found solid footing with the Penguins, where he was acquired in the Tristan Jarry trade in December. Playing alongside Kris Letang on Pittsburgh’s second defensive pairing, Kulak provided a steadying influence, contributing seven points in 25 games, though he also accumulated nine minor penalties during that span. His acquisition by Colorado is expected to provide the Avalanche with enhanced defensive stability, and his offensive numbers could see a marginal improvement by playing on a high-flying Colorado squad, as noted by CBS Sports.

Girard to Pittsburgh: A Youthful Offensive Boost

In return, the Penguins received Samuel Girard, a dynamic, puck-moving defenseman who was a key member of Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup-winning team. Girard, who is signed through the 2026-27 season with a $5 million annual average value (AAV) cap hit, offers a younger profile and strong offensive upside. He has amassed 37 goals and 235 points in 588 NHL games, with his best offensive season in 2021 where he tallied 32 points in 48 games. While his scoring rate has dipped slightly in recent seasons, Girard’s skating and puck-moving abilities are highly valued by the Penguins, who believe he will be an upgrade and could potentially run their second power-play unit, according to The Athletic.

Penguins’ Strategic Rebuild and Draft Capital

This trade aligns with Penguins’ President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas’s ongoing strategy to infuse the roster with younger talent and accumulate draft picks as the franchise looks toward a post-Sidney Crosby era. Dubas previously acquired Kulak, goaltender Stuart Skinner, and a 2029 second-round pick in the December deal that sent Tristan Jarry to Edmonton. The addition of Girard, at 27 years old, and another 2028 second-round pick, significantly bolsters Pittsburgh’s collection of future assets. The Penguins now possess three first-round picks, seven second-round picks, and six third-round picks in the next three NHL drafts, giving them substantial flexibility. They also maintain considerable salary cap space, with approximately $10 million available this season and a projected $48 million for next season, as reported by Bleacher Report.

Avalanche Cap Space and Future Flexibility

For the Avalanche, the trade also provides financial flexibility. By moving Girard’s $5 million AAV contract for Kulak’s expiring $2.75 million deal, Colorado gains approximately $2.25 million in net cap space for the remainder of the current season. This additional cap room, along with their existing $8 million in cap space this season and projected $13 million next season, could allow the Avalanche to make further moves before the March 6 trade deadline. However, the trade does reduce their future draft capital, leaving them with two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and one third-round pick in the next three drafts.

The exchange of Brett Kulak for Samuel Girard reflects a clear strategic divergence between the two organizations, with the Avalanche prioritizing immediate defensive reinforcement for a Cup push and the Penguins focusing on long-term roster construction and asset accumulation under General Manager Kyle Dubas.