Why Samuel Girard will be traded before the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline (Life After Girard, Part One of Four)

There has been much turnover for the Colorado Avalanche in recent seasons, including both the Justus Anunen and Alexandar Georgiev trades to Nashville and San Jose, respectively, and the trade that sent Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes. It is common for an NHL team to build a roster around its cornerstone, franchise players (like Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon, and Cale Makar in Colorado, for example), but, despite this, the “open tryouts” that have come to define the Avs’ depth pieces in the last few seasons (especially regarding their long search for a replacement for Nazem Kadri as the 2C) have been noteworthy.

Despitethe inordinately large number of players who have played for the Colorado Avalanche in the last few seasons, Samuel Girard has been a steady figure on the Avs' blueline. He's the third-most-tenured player on the team, behind only Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon, and he's put together quite the resume in that time. He's (somehow) still 27 years old, so much of his best years are likely still ahead of him — they just might not be played out in the burgundy and blue. It would be another tough pill to swallow for Avs Faithful, but this season may be the perfect sweet spot in which to deal the Roberval, Quebec native.

Since the 2017-18 season, every team apart from the Buffalo Sabres, the San Jose Sharks, and the then-nonexistent Seattle Kraken have at least one player still in the lineup, and the Avs, who have three (Landeskog, MacKinnon, and Samuel Girard), are very much an average team, nestled between the aforementioned zeroes and the New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Winnipeg Jets, who have six. In practically every case, the players who have spent almost a decade with one franchise are the respective teams' top scorers, best defensemen, or franchise netminders. Furthermore, most of them serve as a portion of — or, in some cases, completely represent — their team's captaincy and alternate captaincy positions:

Samuel Girard falls into none of these categories. He has never donned the "C," and he only served as an alternate captain during the 2020-21 season when Landy and MacK were both out of the lineup. Realistically, Girard might be the sixth-best defenseman on the Avs (more on that hot take later). Now, this is not meant to besmirch all that Girard has done while wearing an Avs' sweater, nor does it posit that just because he isn't a captain or an alternate captain that he's not worthy of recognition. He helped the team crawl out of the League's basement and ascend Lord Stanley's mountain, and he's played nearly 600 games with the team. He sits behind only Adam Foote and Erik Johnson in terms of games played in Colorado for a defenseman, and he's just 27 years old. It has been a remarkable run for "Sammy G," but he may have already hit his peak in the Mile High City, so the time is now to capitalize on the value he still possesses. 

Samuel Girard: Le Grand Petit

There's no denying that "Sammy G" passes the eye-test for a bonafide NHL star. He has exceptional hands, elite Hockey IQ (and would certainly find himself included as a member of Hockey Mensa, should such a thing exist), and his "tornade" move is so synonymous with his elusive style of play that the New York Times published an article about it back in 2019. His flashy, deceptive play has helped him remain one of the most underrated defensemen in the league. He also possesses all-star-level speed, which makes him a threat in all areas of the game.

In addition to his puck-making prowess and the consistence with which he dutifully defends the Avs' net, he also has three more career NHL fights than Cale Makar, Devon Toews, and Sam Malinski have combined (which is zero). Girard's very infrequent fighting major is not something he's ever going to be known for, especially as the NHL continues its emphasis on skill and speed over fists and faces, but it is indicative of how committed Girard is to giving his all, even if it takes a toll on him.

He's put his body on the line, year after year, as a member of the Avs. He has also encountered — and overcome — various mental health challenges while trying to remain an NHL-caliber player; Girard admitted himself to the NHL's Player Assistance Program in 2023 and, despite the inherent anonymity of the program, released a statement in the spirit of honesty and communication and a sense of responsibility to his peers and the fans. there's so much to love about Samuel Girard, as both a player and as a person, that the thought of him donning another team's jersey feels wrong. He would be sorely missed by Avs Faithful, as he has grown up, from a skinny, undersized French-Canadian teen to a pirate-bearded, Breathe-Right-nasal-strip-clad twenty-something, in front of the adoring eyes of Avs fans around the world.

Samuel Girard: Le Misérable

The most consistent knock against Samuel Girard has been his propensity for turning over pucks. This has increased dramatically over the last few seasons: last year, he had 86 giveaways. His next-highest total is 44 from the 2018-19 season. So far in 2025-26, he has 36, which, with almost half a season remaining, has him firmly in position to have his second-worst turnover season this year. These poor metrics have unfortunately coincided with another negative trend for Girard, which is his lessened role in the lineup, especially in terms of high-danger offensive usage. He is currently averaging the least amount of ice time in any of his nine seasons in Denver, and he’s also not seeing any time on the power play.

The main concern is that, as his offense has decreased, so, too, has his ability to maintain possession of the puck. His giveaways have been especially notable this season, with his latest blunder against the San Jose Sharks on February 4 leading to a costly late-game goal. This has also coincided with fewer takeaways, meaning he's not accounting for the errors that he makes, especially not as readily as he had in the past. In short: the Avs' coaches aren't giving him the playing time or the special teams utilization for him to shine offensively, and he's committing a number of unforced errors defensively. It's a recipe for frustration and the fans' ire.

The question, then, is this: Is the high likelihood of a turnover an acceptable risk when Girard can provide so much offensively? It's hard to make that argument when his offense has taken a backseat in recent seasons. Theoretically, Girard's offensive upside and ability to feed passes and occasionally score would help eliminate the scrutiny on his defensive miscues. He, however, plays on a team with Cale Makar and Devon Toews — and, when they're healthy, three other offensively-capable rearguards. Granted, Makar has more giveaways than Girard, but he also accounts for more than double the number of takeaways, and he's one of the best all-around defensemen in NHL history. It's an unfair comparison to have to make for Girard, but, conversely, Girard's mistakes are exacerbated when seen alongside his peers. As such, Girard has often proven to be more of a liability than an asset.

And, speaking of his peers: this Avs' defensive sextet is, at present, as good as it has ever been:

Note:

A breakdown of Wins Above Replacement (WAR) can be found here.
A breakdown of expected goals (xG) can be found here.

Cale Makar

Cale Makar could retire tomorrow, and he'd still likely be on his way to the Hockey Hall of Fame. That's the kind of player the Avs got, 4th overall, in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He is a franchise defenseman whose best years, scarily, are likely still ahead. As an annual contender for the Norris Trophy, Makar and his all-world skill both with and without the puck ultimately bumped Girard back in terms of utilization and usage, and he was no longer relied upon for powerplay quarterbacking responsibilities. Makar has established himself as one of the league's premier puck-movers and pivot-makers, so there's little surprise that he's the team's go-to point man for the first power play unit. Girard, who was once a top-pairing, first-power play guy for the Avs has been relegated to tertiary duties because of the strength that has been added around him. Is Girard the next Tyson Barrie, destined to have spent his best years in Colorado only to be essentially replaced?

Devon Toews

While his offense, for the first time since his rookie campaign, has been a non-factor, Toews' defensive sensibilities and his chemistry with Cale Makar have made him a Canadian Olympian and a much-beloved, key figure on the Avs' blueline. The deal that brought Toews to Denver, facilitated by "Trader Joe," is still regarded as one of the biggest trade steals in decades, and this is because of the value — both tangible and intangible — that Toews brings night in and night out. Makar has had strong defensive partners since his Colorado debut — most notably Ryan Graves — but Toews has firmly established himself as the perfect complimentary piece on Cale's left side.

Brent Burns

Old Man Burns has been an exceptional fit in the burgundy and blue, seemingly defying father time and doing so while accounting for only $1mil of the team's cap hit (although the contract is laden with bonus-earning opportunities). The 40-year-old is on pace to put up as many points as he has years on this Earth, and he's still putting up strong defensive metrics, too. With how well he's been playing and how strong this Avs team is, it's hard not to notice the comparisons between his career and Ray Bourque's career: could Burns finally get his long-awaited opportunity to raise Lord Stanley's Mug? Would it be a disservice to the timeless memory of Joe Sakic handing the Cup to Bourque if Landeskog paralleled that with Burns? One step at a time — but there's a palpable excitement in and around Denver, and Burns (with his iconic, shaggy beard, toothless grin, and outdoorsman sensibilities) has been an invaluable component of it.

Josh Manson

Josh Manson switched to playing the left side this season as a way to accommodate Brent Burns; he had never played that side before. Despite some initial fears, it seems to be one factor (alongside a thus-far-fully-healthy season and playing with a high-IQ D-partner like Burns) that has revitalized Manson's offensive game. With 27 games remaining in the 2025-26 regular season, Manson has 24 points. If he records just two more before season's end, he will have recorded his second-most career points and the most since he was an Anaheim Duck in 2017-18. Manson loves joining the rush and crashing the net, which has to be nightmare-fuel for most NHL netminders, and his sharp passing has helped him already hit his second-best assists total ever (currently at 19). In addition, his current plus/minus of 37 is his best to-date.

*Josh Manson signed a two-year extension ($3,950,000 AAV) that kicks in next season

Sam Malinski

The rise of Sam Malinski may be looked back upon as the component that ultimately rendered Samuel Girard expendable. He got his start when the Avs needed some defensive depth, and, while he had the makings of an NHL regular, he took the opportunity given to him and made it impossible for the Avs' front office to ship him back to Loveland to play with the Eagles. He has improved in each of his three NHL seasons after getting his first serious look in 2023-24, and he is now one of the most valuable right-shot defensemen not named Cale Makar that the Avs have had since the Tyson Barrie era. His strong play earned him a four-year extension at a sub-$5mil clip, which, given the projected salary cap increases coming in the next handful of seasons, could turn out to be an absolute bargain.

*Sam Malinski signed a four-year extension ($4,750,000 AAV) that kicks in next season

Samuel Girard

Samuel Girard is the last remaining piece from the Matt Duchene trade, the team's last direct tie to that era of Avs hockey. The level at which he was able to play after coming to Denver immediately supported the belief that Joe Sakic's patience in waiting to trade Duchene was the right call. It's an interesting parallel to what may, ultimately, happen with Girard (although Girard has certainly not publicly demanded a trade like Duchene did).

Girard is a polarizing player. He is appreciated for the role he played on the Avs as they climbed up from the bottom of the NHL's standings and for his time with the team in the playoffs (although, notably, the Avs won the Stanley Cup in 2022 largely without him after he suffered a broken sternum in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals against the St. Louis Blue and didn't play again until the team's 2022-23 season opener). Conversely, he is seen as extraneous and — despite the initial value that was seen in his 7-Year, $5mil deal — overpriced for a third-pair defenseman.

If Girard’s offensive deployment is continually diminished — and, indeed, if his defensive mishaps are going to continue — then two things are true. First, the spot he had in the Avs’ lineup has been filled by other players, essentially rendering him redundant. Second, he would have a better opportunity on another team (one that doesn’t currently feature a starting defensive pair of Canadian Olympians). If allowed to play higher in the lineup and if given ice-time on the man advantage, he would have every opportunity to showcase the once-near-elite skill and playmaking spark he once had in Colorado. Knowing this — and seeing the decline of Girard’s opportunities in Denver — the Avs’ front office should capitalize on the value Girard still has — and the pedigree he has built up across almost a decade in the NHL — by shipping him elsewhere before the Trade Deadline on March 6.