With the conclusion of the NHL’s Olympic break, the trade season is officially underway, marking an exciting time for teams looking to strengthen their rosters. The first significant move came on Tuesday after the lifting of the trade freeze, as the Pittsburgh Penguins traded Brett Kulak to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Samuel Girard and a second-round pick in 2028.
Brett Kulak, 32, has made an impact this season, participating in 56 games and accumulating one goal and eight assists, though he holds a minus-five rating. He started the season with the Edmonton Oilers before being acquired by Pittsburgh in a trade that involved goalies Stuart Skinner and Tristan Jarry. Kulak, who carries a cap hit of $2.75 million, is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. A fourth-round pick by the Calgary Flames in 2012, Kulak has played parts of 12 seasons in the NHL, appearing in 636 career games, netting 29 goals, and accumulating 134 points.
On the other side of the trade, Samuel Girard is making his way to Pittsburgh after featuring in 40 games for Colorado. The 27-year-old defenseman has averaged 17:41 minutes of ice time per game this season, recording three goals and nine assists. Girard has spent the last nine seasons with the Avalanche since beginning his NHL career with the Nashville Predators in the 2017-18 season. He is currently in the sixth year of a seven-year deal with an annual average value of $5 million, which makes him eligible for unrestricted free agency at the conclusion of the 2026-27 season.
This trade marks the beginning of an active period in the NHL, where teams are expected to evaluate their lineups and make strategic moves as they prepare for playoff pushes. Fans will undoubtedly be keenly watching for further developments in the weeks to come as teams look to bolster their positions for a successful finish to the season.