In a whirlwind of trades, former Edmonton Oilers defenseman Brett Kulak finds himself on the move once again. Just three months after being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of the Stuart Skinner-Tristan Jarry deal, Kulak is now heading to the Colorado Avalanche.
This marks the fourth trade in Kulak's career, a journey that saw him stay put from the 2022 NHL trade deadline-when he moved from the Montreal Canadiens to the Oilers-until this season.
The Penguins, in exchange for Kulak, have acquired defender Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round draft pick from the Avalanche.
Kulak, known for his steady two-way play during his five seasons with the Oilers, hit a rough patch this season. His performance dipped, turning him from a reliable presence into a potential liability on the ice. With his contract nearing its end, the Oilers decided to trade him to bolster their goaltending.
During his stint with the Penguins, Kulak appeared in 25 games, contributing a goal and seven points. However, this wasn’t enough for Pittsburgh to keep him past the trade deadline. The trade essentially swaps two struggling defensemen, as Girard had also fallen out of favor with the Avalanche.
For the Oilers, this trade means facing their former teammate more frequently, with two matchups against the Avalanche still on the schedule this season.