Samuel Girard trade grades: Who won Avalanche and Penguins deal?

The NHL trade deadline approaches next month, but we got a remarkable deal Tuesday between the Colorado Avalanche and Pittsburgh Penguins, who traded defensemen and a draft pick with Samuel Girard and Brett Kulak switching postal codes.

It’s an intriguing move for both sides and perhaps one that a team might regret if they don’t win a Stanley Cup this year (does that deserve a spoiler alert? Probably). But let’s get to it right away. As usual, we’re handing out trade notes for both sides, along with a breakdown of failed trades:

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Avalanche and Penguins trade details

AVALANCHE GET: Dr Brett Kulak

PENGUINS GET: D Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round pick

Avalanche commercial grade

This one… I’m not sure I understand it. Perhaps the feeling was that Girard, 27, wasn’t the most stable defender and that Kulak would be the kind of defensive presence a Cup contender needs. So from that point of view, I could understand it. Kulak played a ton of minutes in the playoffs.

But the cost! That’s a LOT to give up for a veteran D-man whose contract is expiring. If the Avalanche win a title with Kulak contributing in big minutes, I’ll review this one. For now? Meh. GRADE: C+

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Commercial grade penguins

Can you hear the cheers and high fives from the Pens front office? I do! They gave up an expiring contract in a season in which their rebuild continues and got back a relatively young defenseman with three 30-point seasons under his belt AND a second-rounder.

You make this deal 1000 times out of 1000. Well done. LEVEL: A

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Samuel Girard trades notes on Avalanche, Penguins deal