The Colorado Avalanche wasted precious little time in setting the NHL trade frenzy off after the Olympic freeze ended this week. With the NHL season resuming Wednesday onwards, the Avs made sure to bring in reinforcements ahead of a playoff push.
Colorado Avalanche Trade for Brett Kulak
The Avs brought the Pittsburgh Penguins to the table to thaw the Olympic freeze, trading for Brett Kulak. Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round pick went Pittsburgh’s way as GM Kyle Dubas added to his collection of draft picks.
As of this trade, the Penguins now have three first-round picks, seven second-round picks, and six thirds in the next three drafts. Over the next four drafts, that tally extends to 20, which is the most in the NHL.
Girard, a member of Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup team, is five years younger than Kulak and, more importantly, under contract for another season after this one.
The 32-year-old Kulak, meanwhile, is in the final season of his $11 million contract that counts $2.75 million against the cap.
We have acquired Brett Kulak from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Samuel Girard and a 2nd round pick in 2028 NHL Draft. pic.twitter.com/tZrCRBm3LB
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 24, 2026
Here’s what Kulak brings to the table. An Edmonton native, the ever-dependable former Oilers veteran is known as a cerebral D-man who brings certified playoff pedigree to the table. Kulak was also starting to gain favor in Pittsburgh as a steadying influence.
All in all, it should be noted that Dubas did pretty well with the Tristan Jarry trade. The Penguins GM effectively turned Jarry into two second-rounders and Stuart Skinner, a goalie who could very well grow accustomed to Pittsburgh this summer.
Per The Athletic, the Penguins have $10 million in cap space this season and about $48 million next season – plenty of assets for Dubas to play with when it comes to retooling the Penguins in Sidney Crosby’s image.
Over on Kulak’s side of things, the reliable blue-liner had seven points (one goal, six assists) in 25 games with the Penguins since the Jarry trade. On Pittsburgh’s blue line, he was third in ice time with an average of 20:20, behind Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang.
With Colorado kicking things off, more teams are expected to discuss some deals with a number of veterans on the trade market.
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The Minnesota Wild have been credited with some interest in Team USA Olympian Vincent Trochek, while the Dallas Stars are also expected to make a move, given the fact that Mikko Rantanen is out injured for the next two weeks.
The Oilers, meanwhile, are looking to offload Andrew Mangiapane’s contract and have been linked with a move for Maple Leafs winger Bobby McMann.
