Defenseman Samuel Girard is heading to Pittsburgh to continue his NHL tenure, as confirmed by the NHL’s official press release.
The transaction involved a trade where Brett Kulak moved in the opposite direction. Additionally, Pittsburgh secured a second-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.
It’s noted that the 27-year-old Girard has just one year remaining on his seven-year deal with the Avalanche, valued at $35 million overall, translating to an average annual salary of $5 million.
Colorado General Manager Chris MacFarland provided a statement: “First of all, we want to express our gratitude to Samuel for everything he contributed to the Avalanche across his nine seasons, both on and off the ice. ‘Gir’ is a wonderful individual and an excellent teammate. We wish him and his family the very best in Pittsburgh.”
Girard played for Colorado dating back to 2017 and was part of the squad that captured the Stanley Cup in 2022. During the 2025/26 season, the blueliner tallied 12 points (3 goals, 9 assists) through 40 appearances in the NHL regular season.
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