The Colorado Avalanche have acquired veteran defenseman Brett Kulak in a trade that took place on Tuesday, adding a seasoned presence to their blueline. Kulak, 32, becomes a part of the Avalanche after being traded by the Pittsburgh Penguins, who received Samuel Girard in return. This marks Kulak’s third team of the NHL season and addresses Colorado’s need for a reliable, physical defender.
Kulak began the 2023-24 season with the Edmonton Oilers, entering the final year of his four-year contract. Discussions in Edmonton had increasingly centered on moving him to create salary cap flexibility. This became necessary after the Oilers acquired Tristan Jarry from the Penguins in exchange for goaltender Stuart Skinner, since Jarry’s contract carried a significantly higher cap hit.
To accommodate Jarry’s salary, Edmonton sent Kulak to Pittsburgh, where speculation quickly emerged about Kulak’s role as a potential trade asset. While the Penguins are often linked to rebuilding narratives, they are still contending for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. This made it logical for them to trade Kulak, an impending unrestricted free agent, in exchange for Samuel Girard, a defenseman known for his puck-moving ability who can complement Erik Karlsson on Pittsburgh’s blue line.
The Avalanche, in turn, parted with their 2028 second-round draft pick to take on Kulak as they cleared cap space by moving Girard’s contract to Pittsburgh. This strategic exchange provides Colorado with a defensive specialist who prioritizes sound play in his own zone over offensive production.
Adding a Defensive Enforcer to Colorado’s Lineup
Brett Kulak offers a left-shot defensive presence, standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 192 pounds. His playing style is grounded in steady, physical defense rather than scoring; this season, he has contributed just one goal and a total of nine points combined between the Oilers and Penguins over 56 games. Kulak excels in 5-on-5 situations and is trusted to play key penalty-killing minutes. Colorado expects him to handle challenging defensive matchups and to bolster their penalty kill, where his physicality and discipline will be valuable.
Drafted in the fourth round of the 2012 NHL Draft, Kulak brings considerable playoff experience, having been a key defenseman for Edmonton during consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2024 and 2025. His background suggests a smooth integration into the Avalanche’s competitive and demanding environment.
How Kulak Enhances Defensive Pairings on the Avalanche
With Kulak joining Colorado, the anticipated configuration places him on the bottom defensive pairing alongside Sam Malinski. Malinski, who is versatile enough to play both left and right defense, is expected to shift to the right side, pairing well with Kulak’s left-handed shot. This combination provides a balance of mobility and toughness on the lower pairing.
The Avalanche’s middle defensive pairing is likely to remain Josh Manson paired with Brent Burns, while the top pairing continues to feature the elite duo of Devon Toews and Cale Makar. Although some fans might feel Colorado lacks a dedicated shutdown pairing, the pairing of Burns and Manson offers a balanced blend of defensive skill and offensive threat, thanks to Burns’ still-potent shooting ability.
Coach Jared Bednar may opt to deploy Kulak alongside Manson for specific defensive matchups, capitalizing on Manson’s ability to play both sides. This potential Manson-Kulak pairing could serve as a shutdown unit when necessary, adding tactical flexibility.
Initially, Kulak is expected to log approximately 15 minutes per game as he settles into the lineup. Given his veteran status and reliable style, it is likely that Bednar will trust Kulak to contribute immediately, especially in defensive situations requiring steadiness and composure.
Looking ahead, the Avalanche might continue to seek additional depth on defense by adding another rugged defender to fill a seventh defensive slot, possibly as the March 6 NHL trade deadline approaches. This move would further solidify Colorado’s blue line ahead of the playoff push.
