In one of the headline-grabbing moves we can expect in advance of the NHL trade deadline, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Colorado Avalanche announced a significant swap that alters both blue lines. Pittsburgh received defenseman Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round draft pick in return, while trading veteran defenseman Brett Kulak to Colorado.The deal reflects divergent priorities from the two contenders. The Penguins are in a last-minute push to cement their playoff standing in the Eastern Conference, and the Avalanche chose defensive stability and financial flexibility as they gear up for another postseason run in the Western Conference.
Samuel Girard strengthens Pittsburgh Penguins’ transition game and power play
Samuel Girard joins Pittsburgh as an exciting puck-moving defenseman with a reputation for his skating and offensive ability. The 27-year-old, who is signed through the 2026–27 season at a $5 million average annual value, would add mobility and creativity to a Penguins blue line that wants sharper transitional play.Girard has always been one of Colorado’s better possession drivers, as someone who can leave the defensive zone cleanly and activate in the offensive end. His ability to quarterback a power play and produce offense at even strength gives Pittsburgh’s attack another dimension. For a team fighting for its playoff life in a hotly contested Metropolitan Division race, better puck movement from the back end was an obvious priority.The Penguins’ front office, overseen by general manager Kyle Dubas, continues to balance short-term competitiveness with long-term asset maintenance. In addition, the Penguins just got Girard and another draft pick in exchange for a solid player but not an unmovable one. The Pens can afford to make this deal while still maintaining a good bit of future selections on the roster. The move reads as an affirmation that Girard’s skill set can meld perfectly with the team’s up-tempo structure.
Brett Kulak provides Colorado Avalanche with defensive reliability and cap flexibility
For Colorado, Girard is one of the organization’s longest-serving defensemen, so moving on from him is a significant shift. The 32-year-old Brett Kulak presents a different profile. If not as offensively dynamic, Kulak is viewed as a steady two-way defender who will add physicality, penalty-killing experience, and reliable minutes in critical defensive situations.Kulak’s contract also comes with a lower cap hit than Girard’s, providing the Avalanche with more financial breathing room as the trade deadline approaches. That flexibility could also enable Colorado to pursue additional depth improvements if necessary.On ice, Kulak’s addition should balance out the already-existing defensive core in Colorado with some grit. As the Avalanche gear up for another deep playoff run, they hope, there are signs that the organization is sacrificing some offensive panache from the blue line in favor of structure and accountability.