Overview
- Pittsburgh receives 27-year-old Samuel Girard and Colorado’s 2028 second-round pick, while Colorado acquires 32-year-old Brett Kulak.
- The move reduces Colorado’s cap hit by about $2.25 million (Girard $5.0M vs. Kulak $2.75M), leaving roughly $8.7 million in space and positioning the club for additional deadline options, according to multiple reports.
- Girard is under contract through 2026-27 at $5 million AAV and has averaged 17:41 this season, giving the Penguins a puck-moving defenseman who can push play in transition.
- Kulak is a pending UFA known for defensive usage and penalty killing, has recent deep playoff runs on his résumé, and was traded earlier this season from Edmonton to Pittsburgh.
- Pittsburgh adds to its draft capital with another 2028 second-round pick, bringing its total to three in that round and expanding an already growing collection of future picks.