There’s a chance Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard won’t be ready on Opening Night.
Following Friday morning’s injured skate at Family Sports Center, questions linger over whether the left-handed defenseman will be prepared to take the ice on October 7.
Girard had been a fixture at optional skates throughout August, but his absence after August 17 drew notice. While he was still present around the practice facility, he was no longer taking the ice. As his time away stretched into September, speculation mounted that an injury might be the culprit. That suspicion was effectively confirmed when Girard appeared in an injured skate session wearing a red non-contact jersey.
Girard provided a clue
When Girard returned to the ice, his cautious movements were the clearest indication that he was managing a lower-body issue. Yet some fans pointed to his appearance at a recent charity golf tournament as evidence that the injury might be overstated. In reality, participating in such an event is hardly incompatible with being hurt; moving about casually or even taking a few measured swings does not equate to competing at peak intensity. Girard was not auditioning for the cover of the next Tiger Woods video game, nor was he recklessly jeopardizing his back and legs.
Hockey is more athletic than golf. Every stride loads the lower-body in a way that stresses healing tissue. What that means is, even when pain goes down, the underlying structures may not be fully prepared. Furthermore, hockey has explosive movements, quick stops, starts, pivots, and that sudden force can put unnecessary pressure on injured ligaments, muscles, and tendons. All in all, getting injured stinks.
Speculation aside, the progression was evident from the outset. Girard began with deliberate, careful strides designed to stretch the muscles without overloading them. From there, he gradually layered in more movement: establishing rhythm, practicing transitions, and eventually reintroducing core elements of his game such as stickhandling, puck control, and shooting. Each session has reflected incremental progress rather than a dramatic leap.
On Friday, however, Girard appeared less like a player advancing in his recovery and more like one regressing. His skating suggested that he was favoring his left side. In particular, right-hand turns posed a challenge, as his left leg seemed reluctant to respond in sync—an indication that whatever discomfort he is managing likely stems from that side.
In hockey, deciphering the nature of an injury can often feel like an exercise in futility, given the culture of secrecy that surrounds them. A “lower-body injury” could, for all we know, be as minor as a bruised toenail. Reporters, left with scant details, are reduced to playing the role of amateur detectives at the rink—piecing together clues, speculating, and working with little more than conjecture.
But sometimes the players we’re investigating give it away. Our speculation became reality when Girard exited the ice early from the injured skate session before the likes of Taylor Makar, Jake Wise, and Mackenzie Blackwood. Leaving early isn’t always an indication of an issue, but Girard was clearly limping back to the locker room while under the close watch of a trainer. We’re less than two weeks from opening night. This isn’t a good sign for Girard’s chances. But not to worry, it appears Colorado already has a plan in store.
Group 1 likely the plan
The first group to take the ice during Friday’s practice is, in all likelihood, the lineup we will see on opening night. Up front, Nathan MacKinnon will center a line with Valeri Nichushkin on the left and Marty Nečas on the right. But the focus here is on the blue line.
Were Girard healthy, he would be paired with Josh Manson on the second unit. In his absence, Colorado has adjusted: Sam Malinski has stepped into Girard’s spot alongside Manson, while Keaton Middleton has been slotted onto the third pairing with veteran Brent Burns.
Colorado Avalanche will be fine either way
Middleton has been a fixture at nearly every optional skate this offseason, often joined by Burns. From the outset, their compatibility has been apparent—similar temperaments, natural chemistry on the ice, and, above all, a shared devotion to the game. Few players show up to the rink day after day without a genuine love for hockey.
To his credit, Middleton has been turning heads throughout camp. He has used his size effectively, delivering heavy checks against the likes of Victor Olofsson, and showcased his reach by stripping pucks from elite talents such as Nathan MacKinnon and Marty Nečas. Girard’s injury may open the door for him, but Middleton’s case for a roster spot hardly rests on circumstance. Anyone who has watched the skates closely would recognize the work he has poured into seizing this opportunity.
As for Girard, his path back will require diligence and patience. Yet if he is unavailable on opening night, Colorado has reason to feel confident in its depth.