Pens Nab Girard, 2028 2nd for Kulak

Pittsburgh lands Samuel Girard plus a 2028 second-rounder from Colorado in exchange for Brett Kulak, igniting deadline chatter just after the roster freeze lifts. Girard, the steady puck-mover with a $5 million cap hit through next season, slots right into the Penguins' top-four plans alongside vets like Letang. Colorado eyes more defensive grit for their Cup run, but Pittsburgh's draft-pick haul now leads the league over the next four years.