Potential in-house replacements for Samuel Girard (Life after Girard, Part Two of Four)

In-House Replacements

If Girard's days in Denver are numbered, the Avs have some interesting defensemen options currently playing in the minor leagues, including, thankfully, a wealth of left-shot defenseman on the Colorado Eagles' roster. If only the Avs could get a guy like Ilya Solovyov, though...

Wyatt Aamodt

Aamodt has never shown enough to crack the Avs roster in any meaningful way. While his numbers in the AHL are respectable, the chances of him being a replacement for Girard are slim. He'll need to continue to bide his time with the Eagles and hope he gets an opportunity out of training camp heading into the 2026-27 season — the one that happens to be his last under contract with the Avalanche organization. Aamodt's offensive game has developed rather promisingly as a member of the Eagles. That, however, does not mean it will translate to offensive production at the NHL-level, so he'll need to be able to hold his own defensively and illustrate some dependable decision-making skills if he's to play for the Avs.

Jack Ahcan

Ahcan has had some "cups of coffee" at the NHL level (nine games with the Boston Bruins between 2020-21 and 2022-23 and 11 games with the Avs since 2023-24), but he hasn't done much to impress the Avs' big brass. His numbers with both the Providence Bruins and the Colorado Eagles have been rather impressive, though — and he has two assists in nine games with the Avs this season (despite limited ice time) — so he may be considered as a possible replacement for Girard, should there be a vacancy on the Avs' third pair. There's certainly an argument to be made that he is a legitimate option if that slot opens up.

Sean Behrens

Behrens is the youngest Avs prospect who may have a shot at playing on the big club in the near future, but he's only played in 34 professional games, all at the AHL level, so Chris MacFarland may want to give Behrens more time to marinate with the Eagles before giving him an opportunity to play in Denver, at least with the Avs, that is. He did help the Pioneers claim two NCAA Championships during his three collegiate seasons before turning pro. With the Eagles, Behrens — who was selected by the Avs in 2021 with a second-round pick — has played well, but he's mostly been utilized on the team's bottom pairing, which shows a concerning lack of trust from the Eagles' coaching staff. At just 22 years old, though, it's best to have tapered expectations and to give players reasonable time to develop.

Alex Gagne

Much like Sam Malinski, Gagne wasn't drafted but was signed by the Avs once his college tenure came to an end. The Avs are hoping that the former University of New Hampshire captain can step into a similar role as Malinski, albeit with tapered expectations for Gagne's offensive abilities, which have never been as well-rounded as Malinski's. What he lacks in scoring capability, he makes up for physically; Gagne is 6'5," and at 23 years old, is still growing into such a large frame.

Gagne is in his first pro season after four seasons at UNH, so it is still too early to fully gauge how his development will play out (and at what speed he might be NHL-ready). Initial projections indicate he has bottom-pairing potential; in short, he's very much like Keaton Middleton but with a bit more offensive aptitude.

Jacob MacDonald

Jacob MacDonald, who was brought back for his second stint with the Colorado Avalanche organization as a free agent in 2024, had himself quite the year last season. He recorded 31 goals for the Eagles last season, which set an AHL record. He was, resultingly, an All-Star last season, as well. The main challenge for him, in terms of once again playing in the NHL, is the off-season hip surgery that has kept him out of action all season. He was just cleared to resume play; however, immediately putting him into NHL action might be a concern for someone with a history of injuries, so, if he's destined to once again play for the Avs, it will likely not be feasible until next season, at which point he will need a new contract.

Keaton Middleton

Other than Jacob MacDonald (who hasn't played for the Avs since 2022-23), none of the defensemen currently playing for the Colorado Eagles have more experience in an Avs sweater than Keaton Middleton, (and all but three of his 47 games played for the Avs have come in the last two seasons). It seems, then, that he may be the obvious replacement for Girard, given that they are both left-hand shots and they are both similar in age, too. They, however, couldn't be more different in terms of what they bring on the ice. Girard is small, nimble, deceptive, and possesses explosive speed. Middleton is big, hard-hitting, physical, and plays a much tougher style of play. Which of these do the Avs need more? It's an interesting question, especially given how well-rounded their D corps currently is. Makar, Manson, and Burns all play a physical game. Makar, Malinski, and Toews all play an offensive game. All five players play a responsible, two-hundred-foot game and can contribute in all areas of the score sheet. It is for this reason that Keaton Middleton will likely never fill a role other than "seventh defenseman" in Denver.

Longshots

Ronnie Attard, Connor Kelley, Hank Kempf, Brian Yoon

The most likely candidates to serve as Girard's replacement are the ones that have spent the most time in an Avs sweater: Jacob MacDonald and Keaton Middleton. Alex Gagne, however, is a legitimate sleeper candidate to crack the Avs roster, if not this season then next. While it is certainly more likely that the Avs look to find roster support via a trade as they prepare for the arduous, grueling Stanley Cup Playoffs, there are options worth exploring in their farm team in Loveland, CO, just a few miles down the road from Denver.

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