The Colorado Avalanche have traded defenseman Samuel Girard of Roberval, Quebec to the Pittsburgh Penguins for defenseman Brett Kulak of Edmonton, Alberta according to TSN on Tuesday. In addition to Girard, the Penguins received a second round pick in the 2028 National Hockey League Entry Draft.
Girard is joining his third National Hockey League franchise after one season with the Nashville Predators (2017 to 2018), and nine seasons with the Colorado Avalanche (2018 to 2026).
In 40 games this season, Girard has three goals and nine assists for 12 points. He is a +12 with 15 penalty minutes, one game-winning goal, 31 shots on goal, 37 blocked shots, 15 hits, nine takeaways, and 36 giveaways.
Girard’s game-winning goal came on December 23 in a 1-0 Avalanche win over the Utah Mammoth. Girard scored the only goal of the game at 7:57 of the second period. The goal was unassisted.
Girard is a Stanley Cup champion. He won hockey’s greatest prize with the Avalanche in 2022.
Kulak is joining his fifth NHL franchise. He has previously played for the Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins. In 56 games this season, Kulak has one goal and eight assists for nine points He has split his time with the Oilers and Penguins.
The Avalanche have the most points in the NHL with 83 points. The Penguins are second in the Metropolitan Division with 70 points.