Sam Malinski

Brett Kulak slots right into the Avalanche blue line like he never left, delivering 19 rock-solid minutes in his debut that steadied Colorado's game against Utah and earned Jared Bednar's quick nod of approval. The veteran, fresh off a deadline swap from Pittsburgh for Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-rounder, pairs seamlessly with guys like Sam Malinski and brings the penalty-kill bite the Avs craved after Girard's injury-plagued drop in ice time.

Penguins GM Kyle Dubas pulls off a slick pre-deadline heist, landing Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-rounder from Colorado in exchange for Brett Kulak. The 27-year-old puck-mover, a 2022 Cup champ with the Avs, brings his plus-12 rating and $5 million cap hit to a Penguins blue line craving lefty stability. Colorado clears space by dumping the contract, betting on Sam Malinski's emergence while grabbing a gritty vet in Kulak for their push.

Samuel Girard sits in year six of his $5 million deal with Colorado, but the Avalanche front office eyes cap space for Cale Makar's next contract and craves blueline size after playoff bruises against Dallas. Whispers from Denver suggest they're prepping replacements like Sam Malinski and prospects for a third-pair upgrade, making Sammy's nine-team no-trade list a real hurdle for suitors.