Girard traded to Penguins by Avalanche for Kulak

Samuel Girard was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins by the Colorado Avalanche for Brett Kulak on Tuesday.

The Penguins additionally acquired a second-round decide within the 2028 NHL Draft.

Girard, a 27-year-old defenseman, has 12 factors (three objectives, 9 assists) and is averaging 17:41 of ice time in 40 video games this season. He has one season remaining within the seven-year, $35 million contract ($5 million common annual worth) he signed July 31, 2019. He’s eighth amongst Avalanche/Quebec Nordiques defensemen with 232 factors (36 objectives, 196 assists) in 583 video games.

The NHL Trade Deadline is 3 pm ET on March 6.

“First of all, we would like to thank Samuel for all he has done for the Avalanche organization both on and off the ice over the last nine seasons,” Avalanche common supervisor Chris MacFarland stated. “‘G’ is a great person and teammate, and was a big part of the group that helped our turnaround back in 2017. We wish him and his family the best of luck in Pittsburgh.”

Girard has 28 factors (three objectives, 25 assists) in 67 Stanley Cup Playoff video games, together with three factors (one objective, two assists) in seven video games in 2021-22 to assist the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup. He didn’t play after sustaining a damaged sternum throughout Game 3 of the Western Conference Second Round in opposition to the St. Louis Blues.

Girard was chosen by the Nashville Predators within the second spherical (No. 47) of the 2016 NHL Draft and traded to the Avalanche on Nov. 5, 2017, as a part of a three-team deal that included the Ottawa Senators.

The Avalanche (37-9-9) have the perfect file within the NHL and go to the Utah Mammoth at Delta Center on Wednesday (9 pm ET; Utah16, ALT).

Kulak has seven factors (one objective, six assists) in 25 video games with the Penguins since being acquired in a commerce with the Edmonton Oilers on Dec. 12 with goalie Stuart Skinner for goalie Tristan Jarry. The 32-year-old was third amongst Penguins defensemen with a mean ice time of 20:20 for the reason that deal, behind Erik Karlsson (23:24) and Kris Letang (22:32).

He is within the closing season of a four-year, $11 million ($2.75 million AAV) he signed with the Oilers on July 13, 2022, and has 134 factors (29 objectives, 105 assists) in 636 regular-season video games for the Penguins, Oilers, Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames, and 24 factors (three objectives, 21 assists) in 98 playoff video games.

“In Brett, we are acquiring a two-way defenseman who can play up and down the lineup,” MacFarland stated. “He logs big minutes in all situations and brings a tone of playoff experience that will help our blue line depth.”

The Penguins (29-15-12) are second within the Metropolitan Division, one level forward of the third-place New York Islanders. They play the New Jersey Devils at PPG Paints on Thursday (7 pm ET; SN-PIT, MSG, SNW, SNE).